Philip the Pheasant makes break for freedom from Whittlesey centre - despite broken leg

Philip was receiving treatment - and even has his leg in a splint - at the Unity Wildlife Rehabilitation and Welfare Centre in Whittlesey, after it is believed it was broken in a shooting incident in Yaxley.

But Philip has now fled from the centre, and staff are worried about how he will cope away from the centre.

A spokesman for the centre said: “He was admitted to us after being found struggling in a garden in Yaxley on May 7.

“The reporter has seen the bird in his garden for about two years, and he’s a regular and welcome sight. He has a harem of 6 hen pheasants in the same area.

“We assessed him to have a fracture to the mid-tibiotarus (the long bone in a birds leg that joins the knee to the ankle) likely resulting from a shooting injury.

“The fracture was immobilized and he was put out on cage-rest for five weeks.

After five days, he made his break for freedom during the daily husbandry duty.

“It’s very important that he is found, as he still has his splint applied. It’s also a risk that too much movement will dislodge the splint, which may prevent the bone from healing properly (resulting in nonunion or malunion).

“If he finds his way into your garden, please do not attempt to contain him yourself (he might take to flight), but instead please call our wildlife number on 07565 489462.”