What’s been going on..?
OIL stricken seabirds have been washed up along the North East coast, sparking an environmental scare.
The alarm was raised to the RSPCA by members of the public on Sunday.
More than 20 birds have so far been found at various locations from Amble in Northumberland to Redcar on Teesside.
RSPCA inspector Jaqui Miller said: “We have been collecting seabirds from several different places up and down the coastline between Amble and Redcar since Sunday, after members of the public spotted them.
“Guillemots, puffins, razorbills and gulls have been affected.
“The first ones to come into us were of a good weight and alert but some of the ones coming in over the past day have been less so and very sadly a couple of them have not made it.
“If you come across a seabird you think is affected please contact us on 0300 1234 999. We are a charity and have limited resources which means our closest officer may be a considerable distance away, but we’ll be there as fast as we can.” Members of the public are advised not to risk injury by attempting to rescue the birds themselves. The source of the oily substance has so far not been identified. “We don’t know what it is, or where it’s coming from, but the birds are covered in it,” said Insp Miller. “We’re getting them to local vets where they are being rehydrated and stabilised then they are being taken to our closest specialist wildlife centre in Cheshire, RSPCA Stapeley Grange.
“The birds will be cleaned with fairy liquid which will hopefully remove the oil from the seabirds feathers, which will mean they can remain waterproofed when finally released.
“Without waterproofing they will die as they will be unable to keep warm.
“We are hoping they can be cleaned up and returned as quick as possible once signed off by the Stapeley team.”
To help the RSPCA please visit: www.rspca.org.uk/give or text LOVE to 87023 to give £3 (Text costs £3 + one standard network rate message).
The first ones to come into us were of a good weight and alert but very sadly a couple of them have not made it