EIGHT swans who had been contaminated in oil have been launched by West Hatch’s RSPCA workforce.
On January 12, RSPCA frontline officers, Swan assist employees and representatives from the Maritime Volunteer service rescued the swans from a river subsequent to Quayside Road, in Southampton. They have been then taken to Somerset to be cared for by the West Hatch workforce.
The Environmental Agency was made conscious.
David Couper, senior clinician at West Hatch, stated: “Oil in our waterways is a huge hazard for birds, and it is really important that we act quickly in situations like this.
“If oil is not removed from waterbirds quickly, it reduces the natural waterproofing in their plumage, leaving them at risk of dying from hypothermia.
“The swans also preen to try and clean themselves but while they are doing this they are not feeding and they will become weak – like these eight swans – so we have to act quickly before this happens.
The swans have been released. (Image: RSPCA)
“It is so incredibly sad that these birds had to go through this because of someone’s thoughtless act of dumping this fuel.”
Posting on social media earlier this month (February 5), a spokesperson from RSPCA West Hatch added: “A couple of weeks in the past, our RSPCA Water Rescue Team have been joined by Swan Support and the Maritime Volunteer Service in an unbelievable joint effort to rescue eight oiled swans from a contaminated estuary in Southampton.
“After being transported to our centre, they have been assessed by our vet to find out their situation and their care. The oil was eliminated instantly from their toes and legs to stop their pores and skin from breaking down and turning into contaminated.
“Once stabilised, the birds have been washed by our extremely expert wildlife assistants, who specialize in oiled chook washing.
“Washing a contaminated chook ought to solely be tried by an expert who has undergone in depth coaching to take action.”
More details about the West Hatch centre could be discovered on the RSPCA website, which reads: “The Centre was initially opened in 1963, starting with the rescue of undesirable companion animals.
“With the dedication of the late John Hughes, the Centre expanded to additionally change into one of many area’s main wildlife rehabilitation services, culminating with the opening of the Wildlife Hospital in 1993.
“In 1997 the Domestic Animal Centre was rebuilt, giving us the incredible services we have now right this moment.
“The Centre has 42 kennels, 40 cat pens and a small animal block that may home quite a lot of animals, together with rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, ferrets and far more.”
