KAMLOOPS, B.C. - Firefighters are often pressed to rescue animals from some strange situations, but a call to a Kamloops, B.C., schoolyard has to be near the top of the oddity list.

A woodpecker needed rescuing after it became stuck in a tree.

Staff at Lloyd George Elementary called for help after the woodpecker became trapped Thursday morning in a metal sheath surrounding the tree.

Principal Ken Rife says the bird's frantic efforts to peck its way out attracted a crowd of curious kids.

He says the children were worried as the anxious woodpecker made quite a racket during its efforts to be set free.

The fire department's Mike Adams says firefighters used a screwdriver to pry open the barrier so the bird could fly off. (CFJC)

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