Safe return for rescued wildfowl
A SWAN and five ducks have been released back to Bumble Hole lake in Netherton after they were rescued following an oil spill.
In total 25 birds were rescued from the water by the RSPCA and local volunteers and sent to Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Nantwich, Cheshire.
Once there, they were carefully cleaned using washing up liquid to get rid of the toxic substance.
If oil is not removed from waterbirds it reduces the natural waterproofing in their plumage, leaving them at risk of dying from hypothermia, so it is vital that they are treated as soon as possible.
Last week a swan and five ducks had recovered sufficiently and were released back to Bumble Hole, which is now free from pollutants.
Three coots have also been returned to the wild and it is hoped more birds will be returned to their home in the next few weeks.
Animal rescuer RSPCA inspector Boris Lasserre said: “This was the worst oil spill I’ve ever seen. It affected a lot of the birds very badly, with many of them collapsed and hypothermic.
“Fortunately a team of local volunteers organised themselves into rescue groups and helped the RSPCA to help save as many of the birds as we could.
“Sadly five ducks and a goose did not recover but I am delighted that the rest have been returned to full health in our care.
“It is always a nice part of the job to be able to release rehabilitated wildlife back to their natural habitat.”
Dudley Council and Severn Trent Water were working together to find the source of the spillage, which happened on December 28.
The RSPCA recommends anyone who sees pollution on water or land to call the Environment Agency 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 807060. Concerns for a wild animal that has come into contact with oil or other contaminants should be reported to the RSPCA’S emergency line on 0300 1234 999.
For more information on what to do if you find a wild animal in need of help, visit the RSPCA website at: www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/wildlife