Harbour pollution forces Tarbert cygnet rescue
TARBERT Harbour Authority is looking into a recent case of pollution in the Loch Fyne village port.
The pollution – which involved fuel oil from a number of possible sources – resulted in contamination to the harbour’s resident swan family.
After a bad year in 2016, when all seven youngsters died due to causes unknown, the people of Tarbert were keen to help when this year’s six-strong cygnet brood became contaminated. One of the original six – all of which appeared to be doing well until recently – has since died.
The surviving cygnets were carefully removed as a last resort by a local vet and SSPCA volunteer to be looked after at the National Wildlife Rescue Centre.
Earlier this week the harbour authority reported that the cygnets had been cleaned up and were recovering well.
A Tarbert Harbour Authority spokesperson said: ‘A full investigation of the harbour pollution has been carried out. There appears to have been a few incidents occurring simultaneously, with the sewage works taking place as well as a small diesel spill in the marina. However, it has been reported back to us that the birds appear to have been coated in some other form of grease or cooking oil, which we unfortunately cannot pinpoint.
‘Tarbert Harbour Authority takes environmental concerns very seriously, and actively encourages all the harbour users to operate with care and respect.’