Guillemots found covered in unidentified 'sticky vaseline'
Press release: Friday, 1 February 2013
The RSPCA is continuing to rescue and care for more than a hundred sea birds found washed ashore along the Devon/Dorset coast covered in an unidentified sticky substance.
Around 17 guillemots were found along the Dorset coast the day before yesterday (Wednesday January 30) then yesterday (January 31) the numbers rose to more than 100. Most were found at Chesil Beach, near Portland, Dorset. One bird was found alive as far as Worthing in West Sussex, and is now being cared for at a vet, and and another was found in the Isle of Wight, now at a local animal rescue centre.
Sadly more of the birds have washed up early this morning still covered in the goo-ey film, at least 25 of the dead. More birds have been seen out at sea and it is believed they may be travelling eastwards.
Deputy Chief inspector John Pollock, who has been leading the rescue mission in Dorset, said: “We just do not know what this substance is. It is white, odourless and globular, like a silicone sealer. The best way I can think to describe it is “sticky Vaseline”.
“The numbers of the birds coming in have been growing and sadly there were quite a few dead birds this morning.
“We are still down at the beach though collecting and trying to save as many of them as we can. We are expecting this rescue mission to continue through the weekend.”
Most of the guillemots have been taken to RSPCA West Hatch wildlife centre in Taunton, Somerset where there are currently 123 of the birds are being cared for.
They first cleaned the birds with normal soapy water, which was not successful in removing the sticky substance. Wildlife assistants then had more success removing the sticky gloop after the cleaned them with margarine, followed up with Fairy Liquid.
Manager of RSPCA West Hatch Peter Venn said: “It is still early days and hard to say how the birds will survive in the long-term.
“We don’t know what this substance is or what it might be doing to the birds, but we can say the margarine does seem to remove it and we are doing all we possibly can to give them the best chance we can of survival.
“We would urge anyone who finds any of these birds to contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.”
Ends
