Stapeley Grange was contacted by Kirklees Valley Wildlife Rescue in Bury were notified of an oil spill on the boating lake at Heaton Park, Prestwich, on October 7.

Ten geese, six swans and a coot arrived at the Cheshire centre over a two-day period in need of urgent care, after being recsued by the Kirklees Valley team.  

Two members of staff were assigned to each waterbird and undertook the intricate task of cleaning the oil to preserve the birds’ natural waterproofing so as to head off serious health complications. When oil contaminates the feathers of water birds it damages their insulation and leaves them vulnerable to developing hypothermia.

Sadly, a small number of geese did not make a recovery, but the majority of the birds have made a full recovery and are soon to be returned to the wild.

Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre Manager Lee Stewart said: “Oil contamination can have devastating consequences for waterbirds and our partners at Kirklees Valley were very quick to react and to remove the birds from the lake and to transfer them down to Stapeley Grange.

“On the first day we took in a family of six swans and also five geese and then the next day a coot and five geese arrived. 

“It is vital that they are treated as soon as possible as if oil is not removed it reduces the natural waterproofing in their plumage. Each bird was washed for around half an hour each, although some of them were so badly contaminated they required extra treatment.

“Once all the birds have fully recuperated from their ordeal they will then be released back into the wild when all the oil is removed from the area they were rescued from.”

A spokesperson for Kirklees Valley Wildlife Hospital said: “Incidents like this are a stark reminder of just how vulnerable our wildlife is to pollution. We'd like to thank everyone involved in the rescue efforts and the team at Stapeley Grange for taking these birds into their care.”

The RSPCA would recommend anyone who sees pollution on water or land to call the Environment Agency’s 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60. Any 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.

The RSPCA has advice on how to help injured geese and swans on its website.