Alappuzha: A group of young friends came to the rescue of a cherakozhi (Oriental darter) whose life was at risk after a piece of polyester cloth became tightly entangled in its beak.

The cloth is believed to have lodged in the bird's beak while it was diving underwater in search of prey. Unable to feed, the distressed bird was found lying on the ghat for several days until a group of students noticed its condition and decided to intervene.

The bird was spotted on Sunday as the students were returning from church. Exercising great care, they used a blade to remove the tightly wound cloth from the bird's beak. The rescue was carried out by Jeeson Joji of Vezhakkad Anjil, Pocha near Cheruthana, Shaun Antony of Punnappara, Jeevan Jayan, and Juslin Xavier.

Following the successful rescue, the bird was safely released back into the stream.