Live
porpoise stranding at Borth, West Wales
22nd April
I was
at the lifeboat station were I am a crew member watching a pod of
harbour porpoises which had been in the bay for most of the afternoon,
as there were no jet skies out at the time they were coming in extremly
close chasing fish at a guess I would say there were about 6 adults
and 2 juverniles, as the time went by the juverniles were coming
in closer and got caught up in the surf and were driven up the beach
me and a fellow crew member Tim Ellis clarke went down to help them
as they had only been on the beach for a minute or so we decided
to refloat them as the pod had started to head north they went out
but turned back round and came up agian this time I gave them a
quick check over to make sure they were not injured they were both
in good condition and were both alert so we refloated them again
this time they went out I followed them down the beach were one
started to come in close again but the pod had now returned and
an adult guided them back to deeper water.
I watched
them heading north until they were out of sight.
Martyn
Davies - Marine Mammal Medic
Second
fulmar rescue for Montrose team, Scotland
29th
April
Another week, another Fulmar! Just
one this week which made it a little easier on Medic Bob Pert, although
this one had a full stomach judging by the amount of vomit it loosed
off!
Generally these birds take off and fly to sea (they
will be hungry and need to feed) this one duly did that but paused
for a circle with another bird which joined it before heading off.
Was that it's mate? Who knows but it certainly made Bob's day!
Elaine Roft
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Montrose Area Co-ordinator (Inverbervie-Easthaven)
Large-scale
operation swings into action to retrieve freshly dead bottlenose
dolphin from the Isles of Scilly, Cornwall
[
Images of the operation in 'Cetaceans' album on the BDMLR Image
Library - HERE
]
22nd April 2006.
At around 1330hrs on Friday 21st, Cornwall
Wildlife Trust Marine Strandings Network (www.cwtstrandings.org/)
volunteer Dave Jarvis was contacted by the Strandings Network hotline
coordinator Maddie Precious regarding a dead bottlenose dolphin
on St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly. Maddie needed to find a contact
on the Isles who would be able to take photos for a positive ID
confirmation by Paul Jepson at the Natural History Museum, who wanted
the body for a Post Mortem examination due to the apparent very
fresh condition of the carcass and the very infrequent occurrence
of this event. Fortunately Dave was able to get his contact on the
Scillies, David McBride, to take some photos immediately and email
them out for identification.
A little later in the afternoon it was confirmed
to be an adult bottlenose dolphin of approximately 11ft length and
in good condition. As the Isles currently have only a small handful
of volunteers trained to record dead marine life washed up on their
shores, Paul Jepson agreed to fund a number of spaces on the Isles
of Scilly passenger ferry MV Scillonian III for MSN volunteers to
go out and help record and remove the body. Plans were made to have
six volunteers go out the following morning to either get the body
back to the mainland or at least take samples within the 4 hour
time window before the ferry left (and therefore stranding the volunteers
until Monday evening if they did not get back in time!). Caroline
Curtis, Gary Hawkins, Dan Jarvis, Tim Bain, Tamara Cooper and Chris
Ellis agreed to attend. For the rest of the evening of the 21st,
Dave, Maddie, Caroline and Dan organised volunteers, places on the
ferry, and other logistics on the island with David, and Tristan
(IoS Wildlife Trust) in preparation for the next day’s operation.
At 0830 on the 22nd, the team met at the harbour
office in Penzance and received confirmation the carcass was still
on the beach and they soon set sail on Scillonian III. During the
journey, David and IoS Councillor Ralph Banfield assessed the stranding
location, Watermill Bay, for landward removal, and decided that
it would be impossible with an animal of such size and weight. As
the team on the ferry made landfall and piled into the taxi booked
by David, a boat was in the process of being organised to tow the
body to the harbour instead. The taxi driver was extremely helpful
in tracking one down for us and as they walked down the track into
Watermill Cove Gary had confirmation of not one but two boats available
to help! As we only needed one boat, the other was stood down.
In the cove, the team met David, Tristan and
a couple of the IoSWT volunteers, and Steve and Pam Manning, the
original reporters of the body. It was given a brief inspection
and in-situ photos were taken before anything else was done. It
was almost high tide at this point but the body was right on the
edge of the tide line, meaning it would have to be manhandled off
the rocks and into the sea, rather than waiting for the sea to do
the work for us. With the help of Pam, a couple of wooden planks
were found to be used as levers to help get the body over the rocks,
while a rope was tied around the tail stock. Mark and Susie Groves
arrived with a boat, and Mark rowed inshore in a tender to collect
the other end of the rope to be secured to the RIB. As a land-based
removal was originally planned, nobody present had a wet or drysuit
to hand to go in the water and get the carcass clear of the submerged
rocks! Going back into town would mean missing high tide (the best
and only time the body could have been refloated), so Dan volunteered
to go in! At the point of high tide a mixture or pushing, pulling,
dragging and lifting were used to get the carcass out of the cove
and on its way to the harbour.
Caroline and Dan hitched a lift back to the
harbour with David to organise using the crane on Scillonian III
to winch the body from the water and on to the quayside for more
detailed examination, while the others waited for the taxi to return.
Caroline spoke with the Captain who very obligingly allowed us to
use the crane while Dan boarded Mark and Susie’s RIB to help
them secure it to the strops. The safest and easiest way to do this
was to tie a strop around the tail stock and lift it tail first
across the deck of Scillonian and on to some wooden pallets on the
pier. So the dolphin was duly hoisted from the water and laid down
on the quay. By this time the rest of the team had arrived and so
began the examination. The dolphin was confirmed to be about 3.2m
in length, female, with both fresh and old rake marks (scratches
from other dolphins’ teeth), caused by other bottlenose dolphins
based on the spacing of the marks. Apart from that there appeared
to be nothing particularly unusual to indicate cause of death, as
there were no obvious bycatch or propeller injuries. After this
part of the operation was done – just over three hours since
landing – the body was again winched up so it was just off
the ground so that a large tarpaulin could be laid underneath and
a body bag placed over the head. Once this was done the body was
lowered so it could be wrapped up properly and secured with gaffer
tape. Dave, Maddie and Paul were updated on progress at this point.
With only twenty minutes left on the clock the team went into town
to find some much needed refreshments before sailing back to Penzance!
The team arrived back at Penzance harbour at
around 1900hrs and were met by Dave and Lesley Jarvis, Maddie Precious,
Nick Tregenza and Simon Bone. The Scillonian crew winched the dolphin
for the final time directly into the awaiting trailer for transport
to Veterinary Laboratory Agency Polwhele near Truro where a post
mortem investigation could be carried out. Gary, Caroline, Dave,
Lesley, Dan, Tim and Maddie were met at Polwhele by Nick Davidson
who had come in especially to get the carcass into storage at the
centre to prevent further decomposition until Monday morning when
the examination would take place. The trailer was backed up close
to the door, the dolphin dragged inside, and then briefly inspected
externally by Nick.
After all their hard work, Gary, Caroline,
Tim, Dave, Lesley and Dan went to the nearest Pizza Hut for a well-earned
rest and bite to eat!
A big well done to everyone who took part in
this large operation which has not been carried out down here previously,
so it was a good learning experience for future events of this type.
Thank you to all the following for all their help: Paul Jepson (NHM);
Nick Davidson (VLA Polwhele); David McBride (IoS contact); Mark
and Susie Groves (RIB operators); Tristan and his volunteers (IoSWT);
Ralph Banfield (IoS Council member); the Isles of Scilly Steamship
Company; the Captain and crew of Scillonian III; the quayside hands
at St Mary’s and Penzance; Steve and Pam Manning (reporters
of the carcass); Maddie Precious (CWT SN hotline coordinator); Dave,
Lesley and Dan Jarvis, Caroline Curtis, Gary Hawkins, Tim Bain,
Tamara Cooper, Chris Ellis, Nick Tregenza, Simon Bone (CWT SN volunteers).
Dan
Jarvis
Volunteer
Strandings Network
Cornwall Wildlife Trust
Late
seal pup rescued from North Cornwall
24th April 2006.
Just as we were sitting down to dinner at around
5:30pm the phone rang… Glenn Boyle from the National Seal
Sanctuary informed us of a report of a net entangled seal pup hauled
out on a beach near Polzeath in North Cornwall. Coordinator Dave
Jarvis contacted the North Cornwall BDMLR group and was able to
get Medic Chris Bolton out to search, along with Medics Jenny Haley,
Michelle Spillane-Smith and Emily Evans. Meanwhile, Dave, Lesley
and Dan Jarvis got the seal cage ready and set out to the site.
Chris found the seal first and with the help
of a passing veterinarian was able to cut the net from around the
seal’s neck. Thankfully there were no netting injuries but
the pup appeared thin and exhausted, so he called Dave and updated
him with the pup’s condition and directions on how to find
them. When we got there, we met Chris and RSPCA Inspector Felicity
Cross and were shortly joined by Emily and her mother. ACT member
Claire Baker at the Seal Sanctuary was advised of the pup’s
condition and it was agreed to uplift for rehabilitation.
Felicity and Dan got the pup into the a seal
bag and between the rescue team members it was taken up to the car
park to await Jenny and Michelle who had been searching the other
side of the headland as per the original directions given to us,
but whom also carried tubing equipment. Once they had arrived, Emily
jumped the seal while Jenny and Dan managed to tube the seal fluids
before it was loaded into Felicity’s van and driven down to
the Sanctuary to meet Claire and Senior ACT member Tamara Cooper
for a clinical exam.
‘Bock’ is a male, weighed 22kg
and was exhausted and has worms, which he is now being treated for.
Besides a few minor scrapes and scratches he is doing well so far
albeit he is quite sleepy at the moment!
Medic Dan
Jarvis
BDMLR West Cornwall
(Newquay – Land’s End – St Austell).
Grey
Seal Pup Uplift for Montrose Team
24th
April
23.04.06
A seal pup was observed within our patrol area by local photographer
(Ian Paterson) who was out shooting film of the Bottlenose Dolphins
that were traversing the coast between the hours of 19.00hrs and
21.00hrs. The pictures of the seal were forwarded to myself for
ID purposes and for adding to our database collection. The fully
weaned Grey Pup from the photographs sent, appeared to be in good
body condition and as there were no initial causes for concern,
it was left in its haul out place for the evening, quite content
stretched out on the rocks within the coved area it had found. Elaine
would investigate in the morning to see if the pup had moved away
from its haul out place on the next flow tide.
24.04.06 I received
a call at 18.15hrs from a member of the public John Moir - reporting
a seal pup that had been stuck in mud that was now hauled out on
the high tide mark of an area of beach within our patrol area. Medics
Paul Horne / Willie Taylor / Jacque Watt and Volunteer Sue Horne
made their way to the scene taking the transportation tank with
them. Meantime I (Elaine Roft) provisionally booked a seal pen at
SSPCA Middlebank Facilities in Inverkeithing before making my way
to the scene to assess the overall situation. Upon my arrival I
was met with a fully weaned male Grey pup named "Mitch"
who despite having good body condition at the girth, was underweight
on the hips and dehydrated. There 
were numerous fresh puncture marks between all the digits on both
front and rear flippers which were bleeding. These were treated
on scene with Duphacycline. With respiration normal, "Mitch"
who was bright, active, alert and feisty was hosed down and gently
placed into the transportation tank. There were no discharges present
from any of the orifices, and the eyes were round and clear. Mucous
membranes were a bright healthy pink colour. It turns out that tonights
seal pup was the same pup spotted yesterday (pictured above) photographed
by Ian Paterson. At 19.00hrs Medics Elaine Roft, Paul Horne and
Volunteer Sue Horne commenced the first leg of relay from our location
meeting up with Medics Bob Pert and Allan Muir who took over with
the second and final stage of the relay to Middlebank where he arrived
at 21.30 hrs. He weighed in at 18kg, and was placed on wormer for
severe lungworm infestation and given reference number 265.
Thanks to John Moir (who reported the pup to us),
Thom Moir (provision of water for dousing pup), Medics Elaine Roft,
Bob Pert, Paul Horne, Sue Horne, Willie Taylor, Jacque Watt, Allan
Muir
Elaine Roft
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Montrose Area Co-ordinator (Inverbervie-Easthaven)
Seal
Rescue, Hendon beach, Sunderland
24 April 2006
Air temp 14C
Windy and overcast.
Choppy sea. Low tide
I received a call from Sue at BDMLR Headquarters
at approximately 3:50 pm advising that there was a seal hauled out
on the slip way at Hendon, Sunderland could I attend? A member of
the public had reported through the police that they had seen the
seal on the slip way and that it had been there since 2pm. The MOP’s
concern was that if left, the seal would be harassed by the local
adolescents who often ride noisy off-road bikes in the area.
I arrived to find what looked at first sight to
be an undernourished grey seal, with no visible injury apart from
a slightly skinned chin front flippers. Its gen der could not be
determined. It was about 1 metre in length and located half way
down the slip way. The tide was out and between the slip way and
the sea was about 40 meters of rock and concrete rubble forming
(what I thought) was an insurmountable barrier to the seal. Trevor
Weeks kept in constant contact via phone and I was able to pass
on camera phone pictures of the seal for assessment by Trevor and
James Barnett.
Sue White (at HQ)
advised that she had called the RSPCA who were now on route and
also Mary Carruthers, (Tynemouth Seal Accom). Sue also called Richard
Ilderton (Tynemouth-Amble MMM Co-Ordinator) to attend. I was advised
to monitor the seal from a distance until assistance arrived.
Mary Carruthers advised that the seal may not be
necessarily undernourished as from my description over the phone,
it sounded as if it was of the age where it had lost its puppy fat
and was now in the process of building up muscle mass as it grew
towards adulthood. Mary advised that it was probably best to leave
the animal until the next high tide.
In consultation with
James Barnett, Trevor Weeks (National Coordinator) decided that
it may be safer for the seal if it was brought in or at least moved
to a safer area. The area it was at currently in was a favourite
haunt for adolescents and there was a genuine worry that the seal
could be injured or could injure an inquisitive member of the public.
It was highlighted by Trevor that the relocation of the seal could
not be carried out alone and I would have to wait for RSPCA/MMM
assistance to arrive. Once further assistance was on site Trevor
asked for a full update on results of the closer inspection.
Richard Ilderton arrived at approximately 6.00 closely
followed by the RSPCA officer, John (sorry John, I didn’t
catch your sir name!).
We examined the seal at closer distance and Richard
pointed out that the seal seemed to be well hydrated with wet ‘spectacles’
around the eyes, no discharge from eyes, ears or mouth and no obvious
injury apart from the aforementioned superficial skinned chin and
front flippers. The seal was ‘banana-ing’ (lying on
its side with head and hind flippers raised off the ground), raising
and turning its head. The seal showed very good mobility and a full
set of very well developed teeth. John suggested that we take the
seal’s temperature just to be on the safe side and by very
dint of the fact that he suggested it, he volunteered for it under
the age old ‘He who smelled it, dealt it’ rule.
The seal, despite any ideas to the contrary, decided
that it was now going to return to the sea and chose the path of
least resistance over the shortest area of rock to a sandy section
next to a sea groin. The seal made its way into the surf and cleared
the breakers with seemingly little effort. It was observed for about
5 minutes approximately 75 meters out past the surf line. We watched
the seal reappearing at intervals for a further 10 minutes before
it disappeared from view completely, seemingly heading north. Richard
and I stayed for a further 30 minutes on the slipway scanning the
sea, surf line and beach for any sign of the seal.
Final phone reports were called in to Trevor Weeks
and also Mary Carruthers who asked to be kept informed.
Thank you to:
Keith, the member of public who reported the seal seemingly stranded
and who kept observation for over two hours.
Sue White at BDMLR HQ
Trevor Weeks (National MMM Co-ordinator. BDMLR)
Richard Ilderton (Tynemouth-Amble MMM Co-ordinator. BDMLR)
James Barnett BSc BVSc MRCVS (MMV. BDMLR)
John and Ash (ACO. RSPCA)
Mary Carruthers
Graeme Shaw
– Assistant Coordinator, Tyne Tees Area
First
fulmars of 2006 season for Montrose Group
22nd April
Medic Bob Pert checked
the kiln at Boddin today for trapped birds and found there to be
two unfortunate Fulmars. A valuable lesson was learnt as these birds
were released, don't put two Fulmars in the same rescue bag! Oh
dear, this pair must have dropped in earlier that day and were both
lively and aggressive! It was thought to be a good idea to release
both birds at once and after a bit of bagging one bird and the other
getting out the bag as this was done they were both eventually "bagged".
As the bag was retrieved from the kiln peculiar noises emanated
from said bag which aroused Bob's curiosity, they're normally very
quiet birds. As the bag was opened to release them it became clear
what the noises were, both birds were fighting! They were scrapping
like a pair of drunks on a Saturday night, then, all of a sudden
they realised they were free and both pugilists took flight in seconds.
From now on the birds will be released one at a time!
Pictures
showing the trapped pair and the fight which ensued, you will
notice that the birds are actually out of the bag but too
intent on scrapping to notice! |
|
|
|
Bob Pert
Deputy Co-ordinator
Montrose / Arbroath (Inverbervie-Easthaven)
NOTE: These birds are marine birds and have no connection
with the type of birds involved with the bird flu epidemic. They
spend their life at sea and return to the cliffs to breed, they
do not mix with the type of birds affected by bird flu and contracting
this disease from them is the same chance as being struck by lightning
on a sunny day! However, in the interests of placating a media induced
nervous public, full protection is used during the handling of these
birds.
Seaford
Dolphin Incident
21st
April
[pics
by Alan Knight]
HM Coastguard
received several 999 calls concerning a dolphin in distress in the
surf on Seaford Beach. Newhaven Coastguard attended as well as local
BDMLR medics, Director Alan Knight and myself.
Medic Alec Anscombe was the first on the site and reported back
that the dolphin was surfacing on a regular basis but had been reported
as surfacing roling on one side and sinking.
Alan and I arrived shortly after to find a crowd had gathered on
the beach. Via the Coastguard we requested Newhaven Lifeboat to
assist in assessing the dolphins condition. They launched their
D class lifeboat and then collected medic Stephen Marsh and I from
the beach in their small rib launched off the back of the lifeboat
which kept its distance.
Stephen and I spent over an hour at sea slowly approaching the dolphin
and watching its condition. We are about 90% sure it is a bottlenose
dolphin. It has a distinct yellowishwhite circular patch on the
left side of its dorsal find and Stephen notice s similar mark lower
down on the right side of the dorsal fin - not sure what this is.
I managed to get a good view down its back and the lumber muscle
was in a moderate to good condition. Alan has taken some photos
from the beach to help with identifying the animal again.
We are sure this dolphin is happy and is feeding and therefore we
returned to shore and will keep observation for a while to ensure
nothing drastic changes.
We hope that this creatures does not become terrorised by boats
or people wanting to chase or swim with it over what is expected
to be a good weather weekend.
Trevor Weeks
National Co-ordinator
BDMLR
New
Marine Mammal Medic Handbook published
The 5th
edition of the BDMLR Marine Mammal Medic Handbook has now been published.
This edition has updated areas throughout and new sections on Turtle
strandings and Oiled Seal Bird information.
BDMLR
wish to thank Premier Paper ( www.paper.co.uk
) for their kind donation of the paper used to manufacture these
handbooks.
Injured
Common dolphin monitored - Orkney
20th/21st
April
I am presently monitoring a Common
Dolphin in the small ship basin of Kirkwall harbour Orkney. As you
can see there seems to be, from what I can predict, the aftermath
of a ghastly wound on the area between dorsal and blowhole. At present
the dolphin is acting quite normal in the enclosed area and a decision
has been made to observe the animal and monitor its condition. The
situation shall be reviewed in the morning as to possible action
necessary. Picture has also been sent to SAC Veterinary Investigation
Centre for their opinion and shall keep you informed of any developments.
21st
April
The Common Dolphin present in the
Small Boat Basin at Kirkwall harbour yesterday has moved on overnight
with no sign of it this morning in the immediate area. I shall continue
to monitor the immediate area over the next few days. I am of the
opinion that the ghastly wound is possibly a fungal infection.
Ross
Flett - BDMLR Coordinator & Orkney Seal Rescue
Harbour porpoise - Druridge Bay, North of Cresswell. Northumberland
Air temp
12C
Windy with broken cloud. Mostly sunny
16 April
2006
Received a call from
Andy Tait at Sea Watch on the 16th April 2006 at approximately 4pm.
I was informed of a dead porpoise on the beach in Druridge Bay near
Cresswell, Northumberland. Andy informed me that a person (no name
given) had buried the body under about 4 inched of sand so carrion
would not cause any further damage. It could not be acsertained
as to whether the porpoise had been a live stranding or had been
washed up dead.
The body location
had been marked on the beach by a pink wellington on the end of
a stick poking out of the ground!
Sarah Madder (MMM)
and husband Keith Madder were at the site already and we dug the
body of the porpoise out of the sand, washed it in the sea and then
took photos. Apart from the damage cause by carrion the animal seemed
to be in pretty good shape, with no evidence of skin disease or
lesions and no injury. Teeth seemed to be in good condition although
we couldn't see the bottom jaw teeth as the mouth was packed full
of sand. One eye had been bleeding (possibly pecked out by birds).
Skin looks as if it had been rubbed off on lower jaw due to sand
abrasion. Identified as a male.
The local farmer was
of great help as he brought the animal up the beach to my car in
a very large JCB type machine. The animal was estimated to be over
5ft in length. Sarah lay down next to the body She is 5ft 2 inches
in her stocking feet and the porpoise was the same length as Sarah.
Hardly scientific but it helped to give an idea of size.
The animal was then
collected from me at Chester le Street and taken to storage in Ponteland
where it will be collected on Thursday and taken for post mortem
to NHM, London.
The animal condition
was just my observations and canot be relied on to be accurate or
correct (expecially the gender bit!)...
Thank you to Sarah
and Keith Madder and also the farmer who allowed us access across
his land to the beach and helped recover the porpoise...
Graeme
Shaw
BDMLR Marine Mammal Medic
Assistant Co-ordinator
Tyne Tees region.
Harbour
porpoise incident at Portabelo, Peacehaven, East Sussex
16th April
I was called out via WRAS* to
a porpoise on the beach between Peacehaven and Saltdean near Brighton.
It was at least 4ft in length, looked in good condition and was
very lively. It was right on the low tide line in a deep rock pool
which it could still swim in and there was a narrow gully joining
the pool to the open sea. When I approached the porpoise become
very active and quickly disappeared through this channel and out
to sea. This area of beach is full of chalk gullies, some of which
are 4-6ft deep and varying from a few inches to a couple of feet
wide.
Luckily I was only about 5 minutes away from the location when I
got the call and the tide was turning and starting to come back
in when I arrived. I advised the people who called to keep away
from the animal so as not to stress it.
Trevor Weeks - BDMLR National Coordinator
(* East Sussex Wildlife Rescue
and Ambulance Service )
Live
dolphin stranding at Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear
16th April
Air temp 14C
Windy with broken cloud. Mostly sunny
[ More images on Image
Library in 'Cetacean' album. Images courtesy of Adrian Don - www.electricpics.com]
Mobile phone video. Click HERE
to view. You will need Quicktime
to view this.
I received a call
from Richard Ilderton at approx 9:25 am advising that there was
a striped dolphin stranded on the beach at Tynemouth and could I
attend as co-ordinator. The report had come in from some members
of the public (Chris Wright and Stephen. Sorry I forgot your second
name Stephen!) that they had found the dolphin while walking their
dogs along the beach. Chris and Steve advised that they had tried
to get the dolphin back into the water 3 times but on each occasion
it had immediately re-stranded. Phone advice to them given by Simon
Drayton confirmed that they should keep the animal on the beach
and covered with a wet blanket until Marine Mammal Medics arrived,
which they duly did. 
RNLI inshore lifeboat team were in attendance
as was Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade.
I arrived at 10am and was informed by Adam
Duffy (T.V.L.B.) that the two members of the public who had reported
the dolphin were still on site. R.N.L.I. and T.V.L.B. had a blanket
covering the dolphin and the dolphin and had buckets of water on
hand to keep the dolphin wet.
It was immediately apparent upon checking the
dolphin over that it was suffering from malnutrition as its lumbar
muscles were very concave in shape. The animal was approximately
1.1 metres in length. Also apparent were skin lesions in various
states covering the body. The mouth had some very nasty looking
lesions all along the length of the beak and these were repeated
somewhat at the base of the pectorals close to the body. Some of
the lesions across the body looked as if the animal had been ‘drilled’
with an 8mm drill bit and pink flesh was visible within. Other lesions
looked like blooms. Dark grey/black in colour, about the size of
a penny piece, with an inner ring and then a separate outer ring,
looking much like a flower head.
A larger patch of very rough skin (about 4cm across) was visible
on the back of ‘Easter’ (the name she had been given)
forward of the pectoral on the left side of the body. Nasty white
looking blooms were here and the skin was bubbled and blistered.
Eyes were clear and clear mucous was apparent. Blow hole had no
discolouring or inflammation from what I could see.
Rear of the dorsal on the right hand side was a cut of about 8-10cm
in length. This looked as if it was an old injury that had healed.
Breath rate at time of my arrival was given
at 9 per minute.
Easter was active, raising tail and shivering along the full length
of the body. The shivers were constant.
No injury was noted on the tail flukes of the pectoral fins apart
from a slight bleeding from the right fin due to sand abrasion.
Breath rate varied
from 7 pm to 12pm. KY Jelly was smeared around the blowhole and
a constant dousing of water across Easter was kept up by volunteers.
The wind was drying the skin very quickly so a windbreak was set
up by the T.V.L.B. It was fashioned from one of their stretchers.
A tape cordon square was set up at 10meters but it was very quickly
apparent that the constant noise from this caused by the strong
wind hitting it was distressing Easter. We took two of the tapes
down quickly to reduce noise. The public generally were very good,
keeping a respectful 
distance.
As Easter was very active and moving around
it was decided to place the dolphin on an inflatable mattress. A
team was assembled and the softly inflated mattress was placed by
the side of the dolphin. As we rolled the dolphin over and slid
the bed underneath Adam Duffy had a chance to check the underside
(as he was in the best position) and advised that Easter was a female.
I confirmed this, just before she wee’d on my hand! She was
rolled onto her side, taking care not to trap the pectoral fin and
then rolled back again into the centre of the (now doused with water)
mattress.
Breathing rate increased up to 12 pm and stayed
at around 11-12 until I noted that her right eye was touching the
mattress. She was righted into a better position on the air mattress
and slowly her breathing rate came back down to 8-9 pm although
at one point it had dropped to 4 pm. The dolphin seemed to stress
more when buckets of water were moved on or around her head and
was less stressed by use of the watering can to keep her head wet.
Veterinary Jane Amaku gave Easter a full health
check over and it was decided that it would be best for the dolphin
if she was put to sleep due to her very poor condition. This was
duly done and Easter went very peacefully.
RSPCA Officer Brian Moffat has taken the dolphin
into storage until it can be collected by Veterinary Paul Jepson
for post mortem. Details have been passed to Paul for collection.
Thank you to all who assisted. The team work
was excellent.
Helpful members of the public Chris Wright,
Steve, Mike Garnett who pitched in and would make great Marine Mammal
Medics!
Jill McCormick (MMM.)
Sarah Madder (MMM.) who brought along husband Keith too
Mark Menham (MMM)
Karen Vacher (MMM)
Will Hog (Capt. TVLB. and M. M. M.)
Michael Davy (Capt. TVLB.)
Adam Duffy (TVLB.)
Peter Lilley (TVLB.)
Robert Oliver (Senior Helmsman RNLI)
Robert Ayling (RNLI)
Harvey Smith (RNLI)
Brian Moffat (RSPCA)
Tony, Simon and Richard.
Graeme
Shaw
BDMLR Marine Mammal Medic
Assistant Co-ordinator
Tyne Tees region.
Juvenile
seal with prolapse rescued - Sandy Bay, Exmouth
14th April
BDMLR HQ received
a call direct from the holiday park at Sandy Bay, Devon, that there
was a seal on the rocks on their beach which appeared to be "giving
birth".
Living in Exmouth, the call then came to me
and spoke with the site manager who was able to confirm that the
seal was the same one which was seen on the 5th April, apparently
perfectly healthy. This ruled out it being a seal in 'labour' (not
only the wrong time of year) as this was a juvenile male Grey seal.
I phoned a number
of Exmouth Medics and picked up Scott Bartlett ( Medic and Director
of BTA Ltd who provide all BDMLR's online services ). 
Medic
Gemma Barker also arrived at the bay to assist.
As soon as I saw the
seal it was obvious it was the youngster seen on the 5th, in virtually
an identical position. Scott and I approached and once close enough,
could clearly see that this time all was not well. He had a clear
prolapse and it was then paramount to get him contained and treated
as soon as possible. He would certainly die if not rescued and rehabilitated.
[Image by Scott Bartlett]
The vari-kennel was fetched from my van and
the seal herded gently into it. Staff from the holiday park assisted
in getting the kennel into the parks 4x4 which transported it up
the steep ramp to my van.
Scott and I then set off towards the RSPCAs
Wildlife Hospital at West Hatch (Taunton). I had spoken with them
while on the beach and advised we would be on our way to them.
The seal stayed quiet
and still for much of the one hour trip and the staff at West Hatch
were waiting when we arrived. He was weighed (34.1kg) 
and
then transferred into a pen in the wildlife unit.
Later that day, he
was sedated/restrained and the vet/staff were successful in replacing
the prolapse. He was immediately started on a course of antibiotics.
Hopefully any trauma caused to the lining of the gut which was prolapsed
will recover. [Image by Tony Woodley]
Many thanks to Medics Scott Bartlett and Gemma
Barker, the staff at Devon Cliffs Holiday Park at Sandy Bay and
to the RSPCA.
Tony Woodley
BDMLR Director
BDMLR OnLine
Update 18-04-06 : The seal is very bright and lively, has
bitten one member of staff (Shawn), is now in an outside 'deep'
pool and has started to feed himself. He has passed some loose faeces
and he remains on strong antibiotics which should also deal with
a slight respiratory infection. He has stitches in place to prevent
any re-prolapse.
Humpback
Whale Stranding at Kingsdown Beach, Kent
13th April 2006
A dead whale was reported by a member of the public at Kingsdown
beach near Deal in Kent early Thursday morning. Following a phone
call from Trevor Weeks at the British Divers Marine Life Rescue
(BDMLR) HQ, medic Jo Malpass went down to the beach but the tide
had risen and there was no sight of the animal.
At around 5pm Jo returned to the beach and was able to identify
the whale as a juvenile humpback. It measured 9m in length and was
placed in an upright position facing the sea. It appeared to have
been involved with a ship strike due to the slice which had almost
cut its body in two. Medic Tim Malpass, later joined Jo and helped
to keep the public informed and away from the carcass.
Mark and Alison Stevens arrived at the scene, and Mark and Jo took
blubber, skin and muscle samples to send off to Paul Jepson, at
the Institute of Zoology in London, for analysis.
The BDMLR team left the site at approximately 9pm, when it was dark,
having spoken to the coastguard regarding its disposal.
Jo Malpass
BDMLR Marine Mammal Medic
©
Images by Jo & Tim Malpass - click to enlarge |
Front view of whale
|
Mark Stevens & Jo Malpass taking
samples
|
|
Baleen plate inside mouth
|
Wound on tail fluke
|
Huge wound revealing intestines
on left hand side of whale
|
Barnacle on upper right hand side of
fluke
|
More
images in 'Cetaceans' album in the Image
Library
Seal rescue,
Skeffling, East Yorkshire – 12th April 2006
Received a text from
Bev Drayton (Area Coordinator – NE) with reports of a seal
looking in fairly poor condition on mud flats.
Responded from work,
speaking en route to Sandra Dovey (member of the public) who’d
reported it. The seal was 1.5 miles from the nearest 
road
– isn’t that always the case?!
Arrived
on site where I was met by Sandra and easily located the seal which
was on top of mud furrows but extremely well camouflaged in the
brush that covered most of the surface. Ingeniously Sandra had marked
the site with a large stick with plastic bag tied to it!
It appeared relatively
subdued, with lacerations down one side and a severe eye ulceration
of some depth. Tested its reflexes by touching its tail and after
it’d whirled round and almost taken my hand off, presumed
it was ok in this department ;-)
Texted a couple of pictures to Bev who confirmed it would have to
come in.
Luckily we were able
to gain car access to a grass track leading to the seal, after having
done a fair amount of ringing round to ascertain who had the key
to the gate that barred our way. Local estate agent Charlie Hill
finally came to our rescue.
Drove to site and
put the seal into the cage (easier said than done!) and between
us carried/dragged it back up the beach and embankment into the
car.
Transported it to
Swanbridge Veterinary Hospital who gave it fluids and relevant 
injections
to help it cope better with the journey ahead. Rendezvoused with
Alan (RSPCA ACO) on the south side of the Humber Bridge who took
it the rest of the way to RSPCA East Winch.
Many Thanks to:
Bev for reassuring
me during my first actual capture!
Sandra who had been on site since 09:00 hrs and who was an absolute
star throughout!
Alan, RSPCA (sorry didn’t catch your last name) for the vast
majority of the transportation
Paul, Swanbridge Veterinary Hospital, for treating the seal (and
recently castrating my guinea pigs ;-)
East Riding of Yorkshire Council and The Environment Agency for
trying to source a gate key!
Charlie Hill for actually gaining us access to the site with a key!
Helluv an example
of how many organisations and individuals are prepared to pull out
the stops to potentially save an animal’s life J
Alan Stewart,
MMM North East.
Harbour Porpoise
Stranding – Hessle foreshore, 11th April 2006
Received a text from Bev Drayton at around 16:45
hrs of a live dolphin stranding. Left work feeling almost fully
prepared this time as the majority of kit was already in the car
boot.
I was contacted en route by Simon Drayton who said
Sue Rhodes was on scene and the cetacean was dead, and had been
for some time. I said I’d attend anyway to take measurements,
photographs, fill in the necessary forms etc.
Greeted on site by Phil Young (HM Coastguard) who
had already carried the cetacean from the waterline up the beach.
On examination it was a harbour porpoise of just over four feet
in length and already in some state of decomposition (fins and tail
fluke were badly peeling). There was also a wound approximately
2 inches in length on its flank.
After taking photographs and relevant data I left
the porpoise with Phil Young who was arranging removal.
Thanks again to Bev and Simon (Area Coordinators)
for your continued guidance and support and Phil Young (HMCoastguard)
for the photos.
Alan
Stewart – MMM North East
[ images on Image Library in
'cetaceans' album]
Dolphin
rescued - Loch Ewe, Scotland
3rd April 2006
Spent
an 'exciting' few hours on Monday afternoon wading around in freezing
water at Aultbea,
Loch Ewe. The snow and sleet never stopped, 
can
it really be April??!!
The stranded animal was a Common Dolphin, slightly undersized it
seemed to me and had been stranded and refloated by two local boys
before I arrived.
It was in less than 1m depth, within the bladderwrack towards low
water and had also been spotted in Loch Tournaig in the morning.
It had been at Aultbea from around 2pm. Its behaviour was really
odd, canted to the right about 15 degrees and going round in 2-3m
circles blowing at very short intervals and hardly submerging.
There were large numbers of circular skin lesions, some bleeding.
I formed the opinion that it was diseased, not injured. it demonstrated
quite severe tremors when handled, After release, I persuaded it
seaward and it ceased circling and moved east about 1/4 mile, parallel
to the shore but inland and resumed circling. I again approached
it and it easily detected my movements, as it had the first time,
but this time evaded me and resumed a normal swim / blow pattern
parallel to the shore again, but again inland for 1/4 mile.
After a period of some 2 hours shore monitoring it finally turned
seaward and moved off in a normal manner toward deeper water, where
I lost it in the snow squalls.
Best regards
Ian french - BDMLR Marine Mammal Medic
footnote.
Ian French is not only a marine biologist but the only BDMLR marine
mammal medic on the Northwest coast of Scotland. Specialising mainly
in harbour porpoises he has the longest running porpoise survey
worldwide. For further information visit www.porpoise-gairloch.co.uk.
April
1st ???
Penguin seen
by Thames : News article HERE
Beached whale
draws crowds to Taunton park : News article HERE
