Buses
arrive in the Duchy !
28th December 2005.
[ click images to
enlarge. Images courtesy - Sue Sayer of Cornwall
Seal Group ]
West Cornwall Area Co-ordinator Dave Jarvis commented
to Medic Dan Jarvis about how remarkably quiet it had been over
the Xmas period as they approached the outskirts of Hayle. The noon
news came on the car radio. Half a mile & 30 seconds later the
telephone rang. Dan took the call from Medic Sue Sayer, who was
at Godrevy. She advised that she was observing a young seal near
the strandline, which had monofilament net around its waist…
Dave and Dan returned
home to collect Medic Lesley Jarvis, rescue equipment and advise
the National Seal Sanctuary at Gweek of the incident. They then
rapidly made their way to the scene, where they met Sue and began
assessing the situation. It was immediately confirmed that the seal
did have net around it and that it was detached from the main haulout
group and located below the cliffs at the western end of the cove.
The tide was rising, but the conditions were such that it would
not compromise any rescue operation, so the decision was made to
make an immediate attempt before the animal went back into the sea.
Dan re-contacted Gweek
to up date them, whilst Dave began to telephone other Medics in
the area when he was approached by one of the on-lookers. “I’m
Colin Pringle, I did the Newquay Course last year”. Dave ascertained
that he was experienced in dealing with the terrain involved and
then advised that we were waiting for one more medic to arrive so
that a team of three could be committed. Colin said his cousin Cliff
Newcomb could assist, as he was an experienced climber. Within a
few minutes the team of Colin and Cliff, with Dan in charge, were
making their way down the scree path whilst Sue observed the reactions
of the seal from the opposite side of the cove, constantly advising
Dave in his ‘control point’ immediately above the medics
whilst Lesley undertook crowd control and directing them to the
safest vantage points. The team quietly made their way down and
were in the beach access position before the main haulout group
became aware of them, at which point luck also intervened when a
small seal came out of the water and chased the intended patient
up the beach towards the rescuers. After allowing it to settle down
again, Cliff took up position as an anchorman with the safety rope
and Dan briefed Colin on the procedure to be used.
Once on the beach,
Dan initially hid behind the rocks before emerging to jump the animal,
but the seal, seeing him coming, made off across the beach only
to encounter Colin executing his instructions to perfection, when
he showed it the sole of his shoe, making it hesitate just long
enough for Dan to gain the advantage with his towel. The team on
the beach removed the net entangling the seal, which had just begun
to penetrate the skin, but further inspection showed that it also
had an eye injury that would require treatment. Lesley contacted
Gweek to advise that the pup would be coming in, at which point
she was advised that Animal Care Assistant Claire Baker was on her
way to Porthgwarra to attend to another seal.
Dan and Colin placed the animal into a seal bag
and began the ascent of the rocks, with Cliff assisting from his
vantage point. Medic Phil Jarvis and National Trust Warden Sara
Dowler both arrived just as the withdrawal began, so Phil was immediately
positioned halfway down to assist as required. Upon reaching the
clifftop the animal was immediately transferred into a cage and
transported to Gweek, with Dan calling them ahead to advise on its
condition.
Upon arrival Dave, Les and Dan reported to Animal
Care Assistant Abi Nichols, who was in the midst of moving pups
to other pens to accommodate the new arrivals with the help of Medic
Rose Barker, who is currently doing a stint of volunteering work
at the Sanctuary to assist with her Advanced Marine Mammal Medic
course. Within the hour Claire was back with the second pup in the
back of the Sanctuary Landrover. The animal had been taken off the
slipway when it was found to be lethargic and unresponsive to human
contact. Further arrangements were made for the movement of seals,
with the help of Chris Ellis from the Sanctuary’s Maintenance
Team, at which point the telephone rang…
Claire emerged from
the office and told Abi and Rose to put ‘Speckle’ (the
pup from Godrevy) in Isolation Pen 1, whilst she and Chris moved
‘Humbug’ 
(the
seal from Porthgwarra) into the temporary pen, before turning to
Dave, Les and Dan to say “and you’re going to Mousehole”.
A fresh cage was found, but it was beginning to get dark as they
left Gweek, which presented two problems. The first was that although
the weather was calm, the beach was mainly boulders & rocks,
so it would not be easy to locate a pup in the dark. The second
problem was that Mousehole is a major tourist attraction at this
time of year because of the illuminations around the harbour and
town, so it was important to beat the crowds, as there is only one
main road into the village. Dan rang ahead to make contact with
the original caller, Seth Marshall, and arranged to meet him on
arrival.
Just managing to beat the traffic jam, Dave parked
in a convenient bus stop whilst Les and Dan located the caller,
who was accompanied by two boys, Ollie & Olaf. The group made
their way down onto the beach with the cage. Dave asked Seth to
guide them in the general direction so that a search could begin,
but a shout of “here it is” was soon heard. Flashlights
showed the boys standing in the middle of the beach, amid boulders,
but next to a small, malnourished and dehydrated seal pup. It then
emerged that Ollie & Olaf had been watching over the seal for
most of the day, consequently knowing its exact position. The pup
was jumped by Dan and after a brief struggle, was deposited into
the cage. Gweek were then contacted and advised that we would be
coming in with the animal and would reassess the whole situation
when we arrived back there. The boys were given the opportunity
to name the pup & they chose the name ‘Spingo’.
Senior Animal Care Assistant Tamara Cooper, upon
becoming aware of the developing situation at the Sanctuary, immediately
attended the Sanctuary to oversee the management of the new seals.
When the seal arrived from Mousehole it was immediately apparent
that there was no room for it within the Isolation unit that is
necessary for new patient care, so following a couple of telephone
calls, a temporary home was found for the night at Duchy Vets in
Newquay. A full clinical assessment was made of the animal and medication
applied as necessary together with fluids being delivered via tubing
by Tamara and Claire. The pup was then allowed to rest for a short
while before Dave, Les and Dan set off for the final leg of the
day’s travels. The Veterinary Nurses in Newquay were waiting
for ‘Spingo’ and the clinical information and medication
were passed to Michelle. The animal was subsequently overseen and
tube fed by Medic Jenny Haley, who works there.
As they approached the outskirts of Hayle, Dan reminded
Dave of the comment some nine and a half hours earlier. Dave’s
reply is not for public consumption.
We would like to thank all the Medics who were involved
in the various incidents, together with Cliff Newcomb, Sara Dowler,
Seth & Ollie Marshall, Olaf Marshall-Whitley, Duchy Veterinary
Surgeons, and not least the Animal Care Team at National Seal Sanctuary
for the efficient manner in which the animals were ‘cascaded’
and treated at such a busy time of year.
Medic Dan
Jarvis
BDMLR West Cornwall
(Newquay – Land’s End – St Austell)
Adult
Grey Bull Seal Put To Sleep - Scotland
28th December
Montrose / Tayforth Medic Allan
Muir received a Call from Carnoustie Leisure Centre at 13.30hrs
alerting him of a seal at Westhaven Beach. Allan arrived on scene
at 14.00hrs to find an adult Bull Grey in a bad way. The animal
was lying in a comatose state.. hardly aware of his presence. There
were no signs of trauma and although a little malnourished, was
in reasonable body condition. However there was yellowish discharge
from the nose which later seemed to have turned to a salmon pink
(signs of blood). The one thing that stood out was its lack of awareness...
Allan then called Montrose Co-ordinator Elaine Roft. Elaine called
Montrose Deputy and Medic Bob Pert to see if he could assist Allan
but due to work commitments was unable to attend until after 17.00hrs.
Elaine then contacted BDMLR Tayforth Medic (Also Shanwell Wildlife
Rescue) Gareth Norman to see if he was free to help Allan out. Elaine
confirmed with Allan that Gareth was on his way to assist him and
that if euthanasia was required, Gareth would most likely pull in
one of his own vets or Cameron Mcpherson acting BDMLR vet should
be called. Elaine asked Gareth to keep her updated.
At 15.15hrs Gareth reported back to Elaine
that the respiration of the seal was 9bpm, but was subject to 'breath
holding' and on one occasion seemed to have taken its last breath
(dive reflex?). It could not support its head and seemed to have
no control over its body. The only time the seal showed any signs
of alertness was when a dog walker passed by.
In Gareths opinion, the seal, now named "Algar"
was in a pretty bad way and he thought that expiry of its life was
the best option.
The seal was confirmed " as being expired"
at 16.50hrs thus preventing further suffering.
Elaine notified Bob Reid of the Scottish Agricultural
College in Inverness, and spoke with acting BDMLR Vet Cameron McPherson
later in the evening.
Thanks to Carnoustie Leisure Centre, Montrose
/ Tayforth Medic Allan Muir, Montrose Area Co-ordinator and Medic
Elaine Roft, Tayforth Medic (also Shanwell Wildlife Rescue) Gareth
Norman, BDMLR acting Vet Cameron McPherson for advice (Post "expiry"
of seal).
Elaine Roft
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Montrose Area Co-ordinator (Inverbervie-Easthaven)
4th
Xmas pup call - Scotland
24th December
24.12.05 02.40am and BDMLR Medic
Gareth Norman has returned from yet another call out to another
grey seal pup at Broughty Ferry. This 4th pup, named "Tinsel"
sadly was dead. During pup 3 and pup 4, Elaine received a call yesterday
teatime to 1 of 9 harbour porpoise that were killed in a vicious
attack by 20 Bottlenose Dolphins. Bob Reid of the Scottish agricultural
College in Inverness has been notified of the cetacean and dead
seal pups and has expressed an interest in doing a post mortem on
one of the seals. Reports will be sent to BDMLR Director and Vet
James Barnett. Acting BDMLR Vet Cameron McPherson has also been
notified.
Elaine
Roft
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Montrose Area Co-ordinator (Inverbervie-Easthaven)
3rd
Xmas pup call out - Scotland
23rd December
23.12.05 Whilst releasing pup
number 2 "Mistletoe" from its uplift earlier this morning
having had rehydration fluids, weight check and health check, Gareth
Norman BDMLR Medic & Shanwell Wildlife Rescue Co-ordinator -
received a call from a concerned member of the public who had reported
a seal pup on the foreshore of Broughty Ferry Beach at 15.07hrs.
When Gareth arrived on scene the pup was by this time fitting badly.
It was uplifted and taken to the nearby Shanwell Wildlife facilities
at Broughty Ferry where it died at 15.15hrs. This 3rd Christmas
pup was a fully weaned Grey named "Berry", and did not
have the bodyweight expected of a fully weaned pup.
Many thanks to the Member of the public who
reported it, and to BDMLR Medic Gareth Norman
Elaine Roft
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Montrose Area Co-ordinator (Inverbervie-Easthaven)
Second
Xmas Pup Call-out via Montrose Group
23rd
December
23.12.05
11.32 hrs - 9 hours after pup number 1 !! (below), Elaine receives
another call from Tayside Police (Perth Control Room). A seal pup
has been observed by Tayside Police Officers which is currently
hauled out 8 metres up the Jetty at The Railway Bridge at Tay Street
in Perth. Officers agree to stay with it untill Medic help arrives.
Elaine calls a very
sleepy Gareth Norman BDMLR Medic also (Shanwell Wildlife Rescue)
who agrees having just gone to bed like myself, will get up and
check the pup over. At 12.30hrs, Gareth reports back to Elaine that
the fully weaned Grey Seal Pup named "Mistletoe" has been
recovered from its haul out position on the Jetty after some James
Bond manoueveres by Gareth!. It will be taken to Shanwell Wildlife
Premises - Broughty Ferry for some rehydration fluids and administration
of any medication required along with a weight check. it will be
released later in the day at Tentsmuir beach as its overall body
weight was not cause for concern. The pup is bright active and alert.
Many thanks to Elaine
Roft BDMLR and Gareth Norman BDMLR & Shanwell Wildlife Rescue
for dealing with the call half asleep (zzzzzzzz) . To Tayside Police
Officers and to Perth Control Room.
Elaine Roft
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Montrose Area Co-ordinator (Inverbervie-Easthaven)
Scotland
Seal Pup Rescue
23rd
December
22.12.05
BDMLR Montrose Area Co-ordinator Elaine Roft receives a call at
23.46hrs from a concerned member of the public ( Kirsten Mack) who
has observed a baby seal on Aberdour beach for most of the day (map
HERE).
Kirsten is now worried that the baby seal might die as its condition
has deteriorated. After advising Kirsten on the do's and dont's
for the welfare of the seal, Elaine then calls BDMLR Medic Gareth
Norman to see if he can respond to the call.
23.12.05 00.15hrs
Gareth Norman BDMLR Medic also (Shanwell Wildlife Rescue) and Steve
Cochrane ( Shanwell Wildlife Rescue) leave Broughty Ferry for Aberdour.
Meanwhile Elaine arranges a seal pen with SSPCA Middlebank. Member
of the public Ian Heneghan is continuing observations on the seal
pup now named "Andre" meantime.
01.30hrs Gareth and
Steve arrive on scene and confirm to Elaine that the seal is a fully
weaned Grey Seal pup and to let her know that they are going to
recover it. Elaine Confims this with Alexis at SSPCA Middlebank
giving an ETA for the pups arrival.
02.00hrs "Andre"
arrives at Middlebank and is weighed in at 17.4kg. and given Ref
No 2672.
Many thanks to Kirsten
Mack, Ian Henegham and friends for their observations on the pup
and for staying with it untill Medic help arrived. BDMLR Area Co-ordinator
Elaine Roft for telephone communications, Gareth Norman BDMLR Medic
& Shanwell Wildlife Rescue Co-ordinator, Steve Cochrane Shanwell
Wildlife Rescue Volunteer for responding to the call and transporting
the seal to rehab in the early hours of the morning. Alexis at SSPCA
Middlebank for communications with Elaine and for accommodating
the pup upon its arrival.
Elaine Roft
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Montrose Area Co-ordinator (Inverbervie-Easthaven)
‘Wombat’
rescued from near Land’s End, Cornwall
19th December 2005.
Having received a
call from Animal Care Assistant Marianne Fellows of the National
Seal Sanctuary just before 10am, Coordinator Tim Bain and myself
set out to rescue a grey seal pup from Porthgwarra, near Land’s
End. It had first been spotted the previous day, and Medic Rory
Goodall had assessed it and was advised by the Sanctuary to leave
it alone for a tide cycle. Unfortunately it was subsequently chased
by dogs into the sea, but had obviously returned later on.
On arrival we could
see the seal sitting at the top of the beach behind a boulder at
the bottom of the slipway. The prints of the dogs that had chased
it the day before were still visible nearby, so the seal appeared
to have returned to the same spot it was in before. We assessed
its condition and informed the Seal Sanctuary that it was underweight
and had ruckly breathing. We got the cage out and brought it over
to the seal, which was still quite alert and growled at us, but
when I went to jump it the seal had other ideas and ran away straight
into the waiting cage! Tim closed the lid and we took the seal back
up the slipway to the car, where it was loaded up and taken away.
Once we arrived at
the Sanctuary, the seal was weighed in at 15kg and then given a
pen in the Isolation unit to have a rest for a while. Senior Animal
Care Assistant Tamara Cooper, with ACAs Claire Baker and Marianne,
performed the clinical examination and found some minor grazes on
the animal’s foreflippers and chin, with a minor associated
swelling on the latter. There were also ulcers in the mouth. It
was discovered to be a male seal, and was aged at around 5 weeks
old. We decided to name him ‘Wombat’!
Medic Dan
Jarvis
BDMLR West Cornwall
(Newquay – Land’s End – St Austell)
Recent
seal pup strandings - Scotland
13th December
– call out by local resident of Gardenstown to a pup on Gardenstown
beach. No record of it being seen the previous day. On examination,
the pup was a moulted grey seal pup in poor body condition, and
the decision was made immediately to uplift the pup for transport
to a rehab centre. Laurence Brain of New Deer Grampian Wildlife
Trust advised that he had some space, and the pup was duly transported
there. As of the 18th of December, the pup is doing very well in
rehab.
18th December
– Call was taken by Andrew Ireland, Fraserburgh BDMLR, from
a member of the public reporting that a seal pup had been found
on Sandend beach, west of Banff. On further questioning, the member
of the public said the pup had possibly been there since the previous
night. Andrew called Cameron McPherson, who attended the pup that
morning. The pup was about 25-30 kg and slightly thin for it’s
age. The seal responded when approached, but seemed weakened ánd
reluctant to roll onto it’s ventral surface. It was also noticed
to have pale mucous membranes, a slightly obstructive breathing
pattern and a large amount of saliva/mucous around it’s mouth.
Further examination revealed a large, firm mass on the right hand
side of the pups neck, which was possibly interfering with it’s
breathing and also preventing it from feeding adequately. The seal
was transferred to New Deer, where it was decided between Laurence
and Cameron that given the seals condition, unfortuantely euthanasia
was the best course.
Cameron McPherson
(Veterinary Surgeon) - BDMLR
Another
St Ives seal rescue, Cornwall.
15th December 2005.
At approximately 11am,
the National Coastwatch Institute station at St Ives contacted West
Cornwall Coordinator Tim Bain to report a seal pup hauled out on
Porthgwidden beach. Tim notified Coordinator Dave Jarvis and the
National Seal Sanctuary, and arrived on the beach a few minutes
later with Medic Simon Money.
The pup was assessed
and was obviously malnourished and dehydrated, and lethargic. It
also had bald patches where fur had been lost. This was relayed
to the Sanctuary, who sent out Senior Animal Care team member Tamara
Cooper. While awaiting Tamara’s arrival, Tim and Simon tube
fed the seal fluids and held it in the vari-kennel.
When Tamara arrived
the seal had its temperature taken, which was high at 38.3°.
It was loaded into a cage and put into the Land Rover, whereupon
Tamara returned with the pup to the Sanctuary. Once there, it was
tube fed again after a clinical examination. It has been named ‘Fawn’.
Medic Dan
Jarvis
BDMLR West Cornwall
(Newquay – Land’s End – St Austell)
Seal
pup rescue - Jaywick, Essex
14th December
I was called out
by the coastguards to a grey pup at Jaywick. On arrival found it
to be very small, underweight and cold also being bothered my well
meaning members of the public, I uplifted the pup took it to Colchester
were I met Jim Farr (RSPCA) transferred it to his motor and he took
it on to East Winch (RSPCA Norfolk Wildlife Hospital).
This is the third
seal Ihave been called to this month the other two have not needed
any help.
Leon Woodrow
- BDMLR
BDMLR
Medic after your support for 3,000 mile fundraiser.
Sue Davie (East Devon
Co-ordinator) and fellow ‘conspirator’ Dawn Sandiford
(Team Risky Business) are taking part in the Plymouth to Banjul
Challenge this year. Originally started in 2003 as the ‘poor
mans Paris to Dakar’, it has now been internationally recognised
as the worlds ‘Ultimate Banger Challenge’.
“We found out
about ‘the challenge’ just too late to apply for last
years run but decided that if we could get through the selection
process this year we
just had to do it; and now we are. We leave Plymouth on the 29th
December on the 12noon ferry to Roskoff, and then we really will
believe its happening.
[ Pic
: Sue and Dawn with their 1989 Opel Omega - click on image to enlarge
]
One of the reasons
we so wanted to do this is because we are both involved with our
own charities and wanted to raise awareness and money for them.”
Sue is raising money
for the BDMLR and Dawn is doing the same for Hospiscare, both of
which are run entirely on voluntary contributions.
To contact Sue Davie
- click HERE
Team website -
HERE
Official Challenge
website - HERE
Full details
- HERE
(pdf file - Adobe Reader required click HERE
)
Dolphin
euthanased after entanglement in fishing net
12th December 2005.
At 8:30am, Medic Lesley
Jarvis took a call from Maddie Precious from the Cornwall Wildlife
Trust Strandings Network about a dolphin possibly in trouble at
Porthleven, Mount’s Bay. Coordinator Dave Jarvis contacted
Medic Phil Jarvis to attend and assess the situation while he went
to collect Coordinator Tim Bain with Lesley.
Medic Karl Wheston
was contacted, along with Medics Caroline Curtis and Gary Hawkins
who arranged to get the rescue ambulance to the scene. Subsequently,
further calls about the dolphin were being received, including Claire
Baker of the Animal Care Team at the National Seal Sanctuary. She
in turn also contacted Medics Tamara Cooper and Chris Ellis, who
then set out. Meanwhile, Dave was in contact with Medic Dan Jarvis
(in Plymouth) to liaise with more Medics and Sue White at Head Office,
and was able to get Rory Goodall to attend with equipment should
it be necessary to ‘borrow’ boats from the harbour.
Phil arrived just
before 9am, and immediately located the animal swimming in circles
in the outer harbour. Phil made contact with Council workmen nearby,
who said that it had been there for some time. Phil passed on this
information on to the Coordinators, who were now well on their way.
Consultant BDMLR veterinarian Paul Riley was contacted and advised
of the situation, and he requested to be updated on a regular basis.
Once Dave, Tim and
Lesley arrived, they got changed into their drysuits and Paul was
updated on what was happening. It initially appeared that the animal
may just be confused by being in an enclosed area, and it was decided
that the best course of action at that stage would probably be to
guide it back out into the sea. However, following further observation,
and reports from members of the public, it became apparent that
the animal had fishing net caught around its body, so in order to
get a closer look, Tim and Phil went into the water, shortly joined
by Tamara and Chris in their drysuits. Communication was set up
with a fishing boat that was positioned on the seaward side of the
incident to act as a support boat to the Medics in the water. Karl
then arrived and was given the job of documenting the events with
his camera as he only had a wetsuit available and conditions were
fairly cold. Paul was again updated of the latest development, and
he indicated that we would have to examine the animal.
The dolphin continued
to circles and then swam back and forth between the Medics, and
as the tide rose, they were able to guide it back towards the main
harbour, eventually shepherding it behind one of the large breakwaters.
As there were steps down to that part of the harbour, Dave was able
to go down to where the animal now was and gently restrained it
whilst the other Medics joined in to physically support the animal,
which put up no resistance. At this point, it became apparent that
there was monofilament net cutting into the melon, around both pectoral
fins and the tail. Using penknives, Phil and Tamara carefully cut
the net away while the dolphin was supported by the others. The
net was then handed to Lesley for safekeeping.
Having successfully
completed that phase of the operation, the animal was assessed.
Unfortunately, it was immediately apparent that the lumbar muscle
area around the dorsal fin had a ‘hollow’ appearance,
obviously meaning that the nutritional state was poor, and that
part of the left tail fluke was severed. Paul immediately undertook
to attend the scene to give his professional assistance. Medics
Jane Bennett, Darren Neville, Martine McPherson, Abi Coates and
Rory Goodall had now arrived and were given various duties.
The Medics in the
water were constantly assessing both the animal’s and their
own situation, and having discussed their location with the local
Maritime Coastguard Agency, who were also present and had contacted
BDMLR earlier, it was decided to remain in the same position in
order that the animal was not stressed more than necessary, and
also because of the steps that provides safe access and egress.
By now, Paul had arrived
and was briefed on the current situation, and BDMLR Director/veterinarian
James Barnett called and discussed the situation with him. Sadly
it was decided that the animal would have to be euthanased due to
its very poor nutritional state, which Paul then dealt with. The
body was then removed from the water and taken for Post Mortem examination
at VLA Polwhele under the auspices of the Cornwall Wildlife Trust
Strandings Network.
We would like to
thank all Medics who were able to attend this incident and also
assist in other ways; Martin Leslie and his team from the Maritime
Coastguard Agency; various members of the public and the fishing
community of Porthleven for their help; John Boyle for taking extensive
footage of the rescue; the management staff of the Ship Inn for
the refreshments; and finally Sue White at Head Office for ringing
around calling out Medics.
Medic Dan
Jarvis
BDMLR West Cornwall
(Newquay – Land’s End – St Austell)
Westcountry
TV report - HERE
-
( 17Mb and runs
in RealPlayer
or Quicktime
) |
|
Images by Medic
Karl Wheston - click to enlarge |
|
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Medics
rescue seal at Porthgwarra, Cornwall.
6th December 2005.
At around midday,
Coordintor Dave Jarvis had a call from Senior Animal Care Assistant
Tamara Cooper of the National Seal Sanctuary about a seal at Porthgwarra,
near Land’s End. Unfortunately Dave was at work in Truro,
so called Coordinator Tim Bain and Medic Karl Wheston to attend,
as they were much closer.
Karl collected the
seal cage from Medic Lesley Jarvis and picked up Tim en route to
the site, finding a dehydrated pup with a swollen flipper. It also
had some bite wounds to its body and rear flippers. Tim contacted
the Sanctuary and arranged for its removal from the beach. Tim jumped
the pup and with Karl’s help, got it into the cage.
The cage was loaded
into Karl’s car, and the pup was then transported to Gweek,
where it was allowed to rest before being tube fed and examined
by the Animal Care staff. As it was Karl’s birthday, he was
given the chance to name the pup.
‘Doom’
(named after Doom Bar ale) is currently in the Hospital and doing
well.
Medic Dan
Jarvis
BDMLR West Cornwall
(Newquay – Land’s End – St Austell)
Boddam,
Aberdeenshire, seal pup rescue
5th December
9.13
– Member of public (Mr Ian Smith) contacted Sue at BDMLR HQ
to advise that he had came across a seal pup near the lighthouse
at Boddam.
9.20 – Sue immediately
contacted Medic Andrew Cordiner and advised him of the pup.
9.30 – I (Andrew
Cordiner) arrived on scene and after carrying out an extensive search
of the area; I came across a very small pup, which I must 
add
was very well camouflaged by the surroundings. The pup had somehow
managed to make its way a good distance from the sea but into a
reasonably sheltered location. He was on the south side of the Bucanness
lighthouse island. I contacted the Assistant Co-ordinator just to
advise that I was attending the incident and then went about some
observations. The pup, which we named ‘Ozwald’, was
in a safe location and looking in reasonable condition.
10.00 - I had to leave
just to get my grab bag and various bits of kit.
11.15 – I returned
and carried out further observations. There was a good few other
adult seals in the area, it was hard to tell if any was his mother
as the area is renowned for its booming seal population with may
hundreds gathering on the Skerry Rock most of the year round.
12.00 – Ozwald’s
breathing was slightly high at 17/18 with slight wheezing. He had
no signs of trauma or bleeding, he was still moulting (with large
clumps of white fluff everywhere) and was responsive but relaxed.
He was however slightly under weight but it was not a major concern.
The plan was to wait till high water at 1500 and then re-assess
the situation.
12.10 – Using
mobile technology, a photo was sent to Trevor Weeks who discussed
the appearance with Jamie at Oban and confirmed that we should hold
off and wait for the parent to come back.
14.00 – After
observing for a long while I left to get some lunch. Just before
I left, BDMLR Vet Cameron phoned and discussed the situation.
14.30 – I attended
the pup again and carried out more observations. The weather began
to close in and started to rain.
15.00 – Ozwald
was coughing and wheezing quiet badly. Earlier in the day, Trevor
had forwarded my picture to Sue at HQ who sent it on to James Barnett
and Cameron McPherson.
The tide had came
in and was as its highest possible height. At this point it was
beginning to get cold and dark. I contacted James and Cameron, 
discussing
the possibility of just relocating the pup so as the mother could
see him and return to feed. Both vets advised that uplift would
be the best resolution and moving the pup to a higher position,
more visible from the sea may only put Ozwald in danger.
15.10 – We gave
the pup one final bit of rest, hoping that the mother would return
before we got back with the container and transportation kit.
15.20 – Contacted
Grampian Wildlife trust for a pen, one was available and it was
alright to bring him in if necessary.
15.35 – There
was no sign of any mother in the water so Ozwald was loaded in to
the tank for transportation.
15.40 – Departed
for Grampian Wildlife Hospital.
16.30 – Ozwald
arrived safely at the Wildlife Hospital.
Thanks to all that
assisted with this rescue, including Mr. Smith, Sue at HQ, Trevor
Weeks and Jamie at Oban Sealife, Elaine Roft, Various friends who
assisted me, James Barnett and Cameron McPherson and Lawrence at
Grampian Wildlife Hospital. If there is anyone I have missed then
a big thank you for your guidance.
Andrew Cordiner
- Marine Mammal Medic
British Divers Marine
Life Rescue
Harbour
porpoise - Deal, Kent
4th December
Jo Malpass,
medic from Deal, was contacted on Sunday 4th December by a friend
who discovered a “small dolphin” washed up at Sandown
Beach in Deal.
The animal was taken
to a local environmental education centre where Jo later identified
it as a Harbour Porpoise. The animal had a large open wound to the
stomach, and a clean slice wound on the back to the rear. It would
appear that unfortunately the animal has fallen foul of some kind
of human conflict, likely to be either a boat propeller or from
a fisherman, given the clean cuts and gouges that the animal has
suffered.
Paul Jepson (ZSL)
has been contacted so that the porpoise can be collected for post
mortem.
More images on Image
Library.
Jo Malpass
- BDMLR Marine Mammal Medic
Pup
euthansed at Tynemouth
4th December
09.15hrs
: Area Coordinator Richard Ilderton attended to a seal pup at the
pier at Tynemouth with Medic Jill McCormick.
The pup
was found to have a badly shattered lower jaw and I then attempted
to get a local vet to attend. Richard had to leave to get to work
and Jill stayed with the pup while I made a load of phone calls
without any luck as all the vets were either too busy or not open.
Finally,
I contacted the RSPCA National Control Centre and Inspector Ian
Smith met with Jill and the pup was PTS.
Many
thanks to Jill for waiting for a couple of hours before help arrived,
another great effort by one of the BDMLR volunteer network.
Many
thanks to Jill, Richard and Ian (RSPCA).
Tony
Woodley
Pup
rescued from Kinnaber beach Scotland
4th December
12.45
hrs Local dog walker Janie Murray reports to Medic Jacque Watt a
tiny seal pup at Kinnaber beach with eye injuries. One eye is weeping
and
the other appears to be missing. Jacque informs Area Co-ordinator
Elaine Roft. [click images to enlarge]
13.30 hrs Medic Paul
Horne and Volunteer Sue Horne have located the pup after an enduring
trek and report that it is a semi weaned, Male Grey Seal Pup approximately
2 ft in length, is of reasonable body weight, slightly dehydrated
and a bit thin on the hips and confirm that the right eye is weeping,
the left eye tightly closed and that the pup has little fight left
in it. The gums were deep red to crimson and not a healthy pink
colour. With an incoming tide to deal with, time is not wasted and
Sue and Paul carry the very lethargic pup in their arms and walk
the 2.5 miles over the dunes and through the woods to the main road
where their car is parked. Meantime Medic Willie Taylor and Volunteers
Frances and Iain Walker have started to walk from the North end
of the beach to meet up on the pathway to assist Sue and Paul. Area
Co-ordinator Elaine Roft is engaged in telephone communications
meantime with Local Vet Robson and Partners who will check the pup
over and administer medication required if it survives. A seal pen
is also provisionally booked at SSPCA Middlebank and BDMLR Consulting
Vet Cameron McPherson is notified (Currently unavailable to assist
as he is in Elgin). Deputy Co-ordinator Bob Pert and Medic Iain
Wallace are placed on standby for possible relay to rehab facilities.
14.30 hrs Sue and
Paul reach the car where the pup is left to rest after its uplift
from the beach in Pauls arms. It is booked in at The Laurencekirk
Veterinary
Hospital where it will arrive at 15.30 hrs for assessment, possible
euthanasia.
15.30 hrs Medics Paul
and Willie arrive at the Veterinary Hospital and after clinical
assessment by the vet its decided that Euthanasia is in the pups
best interests. The vet confirmed to Elaine the pup named "Jamie"
was of reasonable body weight, showed no signs of respiratory distress
and assessed normal character in breathing. It had bruising and
bumps to almost its entire body and due to its severe eye injury
and the fact that it did not require restraining whilst in the surgery
euthanasia was the best option as hypoglycaemia and septicaemia
may have set in.
Many thanks to Janie
for reporting the pup to us, to all Medics and Volunteers who responded
and assissted, in particular Paul and Sue for their efforts and
sheer determination to help the pup. BDMLR Consulting Vet Cameron
McPherson, SSPCA Middlebank (Alexis) and Robson & Partners at
Laurencekirk Veterinary Hospital.
Elaine Roft
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Montrose Area Co-ordinator (Inverbervie-Easthaven)
Seal
pup at Walney Island, Barrow-in-Furness
3rd December
17.45hrs : Medics
Victoria Cooper and Stephanie Priss are going to view a 'seal pup'
reported earlier. An RSPCA Officer is standing by to transfer the
pup
to the RSPCA if necessary.
18.30hrs : The medics
have met with MOP Glen Wooden, who found the pup. The pup is very
thin, fast breathing and obviously in need of help. A transfer is
now ongoing to get the seal to the RSPCA asap. [click
image to enlarge]
Update : The pup arrived
at the RSPCA Wildlife Hospital at Stapeley Grange, Nantwich at 23.00hrs.
Halfway through its journey, Area Coordinator met with the RSPCA
ACO and the pup was given fluids.
4th December : I've
had an update from 'Nick', the RSPCA ACO that the pup has an abscess
on its stomach and has pneumonia but they are hoping it will be
OK. he's a right feisty little character and will be a definate
handfull once he gets his full strength back !
Tony Woodley
Map of location : HERE
Seal
pup at Edinburgh rescued by local medics
3rd December
18.40hrs : Local medics
Emma Johnson and Nigel Stansbie en-route
20.20hrs : Pup underweight
and wheezing. Uplifted and being transported to SSPCA Middlebank.
Many thanks to all
involved.
Tony Woodley
Update
4th December from Bruce McLeish (Area Coordinator) : Spoke
to the s.s.p.c.a on Sunday morning and they said it was a grey pup
underweight and varios cuts on body and above one eye but otherwise
doing fine. They were going to give it medicaton etc
Cetacean
stranding - Westray, Orkney
3rd December
At 9.15am
I received a call from Bob Reid (SAC) concerning a 'dolphin' stranding
at the Bay of Tuquoy on the island of Westray in the Orkneys. Click
HERE
for a map.
It had
been reported by local resident Christine Patterson who I spoke
to as I am currently 'on-call' for BDMLR calls nationally. I then
spoke to another resident, Jimmy Stout who was able to provide more
detail. The 'dolphin' had been seen stranded in a shallow water
in the bay and was described as about 7 ft long. He was happy to
go and take a closer look and help if possible.
Unfortunately,
Ross Flett (Orkney Seal Rescue), was in Perth so unable to assist.
I spoke to Ali Jack Snr who started to prepare to get some medics
and equipment on the next ferry across to Orkney and then on to
Westray.
At 09.55
Jimmy called again to confirm the 'dolphin' was in deeper water,
swimming on its side and he then lost sight of it. He was going
to remain in the area to see if it restranded.
At 10.15hrs
he called again as it had restranded. He described it as being about
7ft long, lighter underneath, very dark on its back and with no
recognisable beak. It was very lively and he decided to try and
get in back in the water.
At 10.19hrs
he called again to confirm that the animal had just died. I asked
him to check corneal/blowhole reflexes and these confirmed it had
died. The 'lively' activity previously reported was probably pre-death
convulsions.
He has
now covered the carcass and arrangements are being made to get the
body to Bob Reid at SAC for a PM. Jimmy will be emailing me some
images later today.
Thanks
to Jimmy Stout, Christine Patterson, Bob Reid and Ali Jack for their
help.
Tony
Woodley - BDMLR Director/BDMLR OnLine
[ Pics
will appear here when I receive them ]
Seal
rescued at St Ives, Cornwall.
3rd December 2005.
During the afternoon
of the 3rd, a seal was reported to Director Tony Woodley, who was
manning the BDMLR Hotline, as being alone on a beach behind the
pier at St Ives. With the Coordinators otherwise occupied running
a training course in the North of the county, Medic Phil Jarvis
was contacted to attend. Tony also called out Medic Simon Money
who lives in St Ives, while Phil and Medic Jessica Maynard were
en route.
The pup was located
and assessed to be underweight, a bit dehydrated and lethargic.
The details were passed on to ACT member Marianne Fellows of the
National Seal Sanctuary, who then came out with zoolyte to tube
feed the seal before it was removed. In the meantime, the Medics
kept people and dogs a safe distance away and herded the pup up
the beach due to the incoming tide.
When Marianne arrived,
she jumped the pup and tube fed it with assistance from the Medics.
It was then loaded into a cage and put in the back of the Sanctuary’s
Land Rover for transport to the centre. Once it arrived it was given
a clinical examination and treated. It has been named ‘Cobbler’.
Medic Dan
Jarvis
BDMLR West Cornwall
(Newquay – Land’s End – St Austell)
Grey
seal pup dies as Medic reaches it - Johnshaven, Scotland
30th
November
Medic
Paul Horne BDMLR Montrose Group responded to a call at 12.45hrs
in relation to a fresh dead seal pup at Johnshaven which was found
by Medic Rebecca Chambers whilst walking her dogs. The pup which
had sadly just died was removed from its stranding point after Area
Co-ordinator Elaine Roft had managed to establish contact with Paul
who had been called first hand by Rebecca. [click
image to enlarge]
It was
taken to another location for easy uplift by Environmental Health
and a full assessment on the carcass was carried out by Elaine and
Paul. The pup measured approximately 2.5ft in length, was determined
as being a female semi weaned grey seal pup which was severely malnourished
and severely dehydrated. There were numerous puncture marks on the
fore flippers, muzzle, rear flippers and under the tail measuring
approximately 1/2 cm in diameter. The teeth were broken on the lower
left jaw and another puncture mark was visible on the lower left
gum. It is possible that these puncture marks may be bites inflicted
by an adult seal. Reports have been sent to BDMLR vet James Barnett
and BDMLR Consulting vet Cameron McPherson.
Elaine
Roft
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Montrose Area Co-ordinator (Inverbervie-Easthaven)
