29th
August
Bearded
Seal in Orkney
- Sunday 29th August 2004
This afternoon I received a call from the Kirkwall Police to notify
me that there was an injured seal on Corn Slip at Kirkwall Harbour
and that it was possibly being harassed by observers. To my surprise
I discovered that it was a perfectly healthy juvenile Bearded Seal
hauled out for some rest. There are only 2 previous records in Orkney
of this distinctive species, which feeds mainly on molluscs and
is normally found in the shallow coastal waters of the Arctic. The
last 2 sightings in Orkney took place in 1987 and 1988. The most
characteristic feature of the Bearded seal and that which gives
the animal its name, is the great profusion of long, very sensitive,
glistening moustacial whiskers. Bearded seals are said to be very
curious animals, but if frightened become paralysed with fear.
With a large gathering of observers I decided to relocate the seal
to a more secluded location. My attempt to catch it failed and it
slid over the edge of the Corn Slip into the harbour and was last
seen heading out of the harbour into Kirkwall Bay.
Ross
Flett
Orkney Seal Rescue
21st
August
Video
Clips of Dolphins in Rehab at Mote Marine Lab, Florida
Footage
from Faye Archell (BDMLR)
16th
August
As
promised here are a couple of video clips of the Rough Toothed Dolphins
undergoing rehab at MOTE.
One is of feeding time (clip 1)- it's a real art trying to get the
dolphins to eat only their fish and not the others in the tank.
They are training each dolphin to only eat in its own specific area
of the tank. The second clip (clip 2) is just some nice footage
of them playing with some of their toys - a sure sign they are getting
stronger.
Faye
Archell - BDMLR Essex
clip
1 (4Mb)
clip
2 (4Mb)
Seal
Rescue from Amble, UK
Two
local lads from Amble were outside Amble Marina, when they spotted
a young seal being thrown against the rocks by the rough seas we
have been having here recently.
They decided that they should bring the seal in as, when they got
closer, it made no attempt to escape from them, and seemed very
tired. They took in onboard their boat, and mad way for the marina,
where they contacted Allun Brunton, MD of the marina, who along
with his wife Karen, began a ring around to find assistance.
After failing to get any help from the RSPCA call centre, who were
unable to send anyone out to the animal, despite explaining the
battered state of the seal to two different operators, they finally
managed to get the BDMLR number from the local Police Animal Liaison
officer.
I got the call at 2135 from Duane asking if I had a contact in Amble
on my list, and found out that the only one there couldn't be contacted.
With a towel, a rough idea of direction, and Jill McCormick (MMMedic)
who had a much better idea of where we were going, we set off for
Amble Marina.
On arrival a (roughly) 5-week Common seal (now christened Joanne
by the lads on the boat) was shown to us in the bottom of a small
fishing boat, barely moving, unresponsive, thin, and very very cold.
Wrapped in a towel, and placed on the back seat of my car, we began
the trip south, with the plan of getting our seal to Norfolk, via
Scotch Corner and James Brett's house.
We got to Scotch corner at 0115h, and did my first clandestine seal
transfer, thankfully without too many witnesses.
We were then free to make our way back, leaving the pup in the capable
hands of James, who was no doubt going to be having a later night
than us...
I left it until late morning before I called about 'Joanne' only
to find that 'she' hadn't survived the night.
As my first experience of a late night transfer, I must thank Duane,
Lucie and James for having more of a clue than I had, but especially
Jill, who was due back up at 0630 for her work with the Environment
Agency.
Richard Ilderton
Area Coordinator Tynemouth to Amble
Press
item HERE
Humpbacks
in Hawaii need your support
The Marine
Connection recently received news from our colleague,Richard
Roshon in Maui,Hawaii with regards to the Jet Ski and Parasail activities
operating in the shallow protected offshore waters of West and South
Maui. This is one of the area's that humpback whales also congregate
when they visit these waters and not only is it one of the main
prime mating area's for these mammals but it is also designated
as a marine sanctuary, for the North pacific humpback whales.
For many years,
the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) held meetings
in Lahaina, Maui in reference to these activities which involved
hundreds of residents, fishermen, marine organisations and individuals.
The goal was simple, a complete ban on all craft like jet ski's
- not a partial ban as this will give 100% protection to the whales,
reef ecosystems, and a much better, cleaner water environment. In
July 2004, U.S. District Court Judge, Susan Oki gave the go ahead
for a "five-month ban only" on all "thrill craft"
unconstitutional. We must get her to overturn this ruling as not
only will whales, porpoise, dolphins, and green sea turtles suffer,
the reefs will also suffer.
Richard remembers
how much of his younger life was spent living aboard a sailboat
on the offshore water of Maui. A time in the early 1950's when from
November through to May, the humpback whales and their young calves
would lie peacefully and undisturbed throughout the day around South
and West Maui. Whales and other marine mammals are very sensitive
to sound as we, ourselves. To preserve and protect Maui's natural
resources,The Marine Connection are asking you to take five minutes
out of your day and support the all year round ban. It only takes
a few moments to e-mail and protect a natural habitat that has existed
since the beginning of time.
If these crafts
are allowed to run during the winter months, when species like humpbacks
are giving birth then it can have a devastating effect on these
animals. The waters between the islands of Maui, Molokai, Lanai
and Kahoolawe are protected and shallow, this is a place where North
pacific humpback whales, after travelling thousands of miles, bring
new life into the marine world. They deserve the same exact environment
that the human species requires when bringing a newborn into the
world. Peace & Quiet - nothing less, with no exceptions.
We urge everyone
to take the time to express your concern. Email friends/colleagues
and ask them to also forward their concerns to the
following:
Mr.
Peter Young, Chairman
Mayor
of Maui County - The Honorable Arakawa
Governor
of Hawaii, The Honorable Linda Lingle
Thankyou.
Liz
Sandeman
Co-founder
The Marine Connection (reg UK charity 1062222)
PO Box 2404, London, W2 3WG
Tel: 020 7499 9196 fax: 020 7409 2133
www.marineconnection.org
20th
August
Montrose Medics Common pup rescue
20th August
18.00hrs August 20th 2004, Montrose
Medics Paul Horne and Sue Threlfall called Montrose co-ordinator
Elaine Roft with their concerns relating to a common pup at Inverbervie.
There was no sign of mum in the surf and a member of the public
said the seal named "Scoobie" had been there for some
time.
The breathing was laboured and the common
pup was very thin, weak and appeared to have a cataract to one of
its eyes. Elaine called Tayforth co-ordinator Gareth Norman to book
an overnight pen at BDMLR Resource and Rescue unit at Broughty Ferry
since Laurence Brain is currently on holiday (Grampian Wildlife
Trust) then booked a pen at SSPCA Middlebank for saturday. On inspection
at Broughty Ferry, the pup weighed in at 10kg. 240mls of Lectade
Plus was administered and tyacil applied to the left eye which had
a corneal ulcer. The left flipper had a slight wound but gave no
cause for concern. Elaine and Bob will transfer "Scoobie"
to SSPCA Middlebank tomorrow after its overnight stay at Broughty
Ferry.
Elaine
Roft
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Montrose Area Co-ordinator (Inverbervie-Easthaven)
Lossie on uplift
- Pic credit Elaine Roft BDMLR |
Elaine straddling
pup - pic credit Elaine Roft BDMLR |
Elaine
and Gareth preparing to tube feed pup - pic credit Bob Pert
BDMLR |
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17th
August
Sad
End to Seal Rescue Search at Seaford
17th
August
At
7pm (Tuesday) I recieved a call from a lady who had seen an injured
common seal just east of Splash Point at Seaford. The lady reported
seeing the seal in the surf with a "red glow" around it
thought to be blood in the water. The lady returned home to phone
for help.
I arrived on site within 30 minutes and was quickly joined by Peter
Still another BDMLR Marine Mammal Medic. On arrival the seal could
not be seen. A search was quickly organised as the tide was quickly
coming in. It was a dangerous search as the rocks were very slippery
and to make matters worse it started to rain and thunder. Peter
used binoculars to scan the beach and watch my back as I searched
the rocks and seaweed covered chalk gullies on the exposed sea bed.
Wearing a dry suit I spent almost an hour checking the rocks. As
I turned round to give up and go back I spotted a young seal hidden
about 2ft down inside one of the gullies. It was about 2.5 ft long.
At first I thought the seal was alive but as I got closer I could
see it had died. I was annoyed I had not found him quicker. He had
not long been dead. It was impossible to recover the body to find
out why the seal had died due to the narrow and deep sides of the
gully and rapidly raising tide. No obvious sign of injury could
be seen but it was impossible to undertake a proper examination.
And of course it stopped raining just as we finished!
Trevor
Weeks East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service
( + BDMLR Medic )
Rescuers
manage to save second whale to strand on Brazils coast ... first
whale died.
12th
August
Full
details and more pics HERE
14th
August
Latest
Report from Faye Archell - Florida
14th
August - 12.45hrs (BST)
Tony
Woodley of BDMLR Online reports - I received a text from Faye reading
"All OK here ! Hurricane turned at the last minute so we
missed the worst. Dolphins all OK ! Faye".
13th
August 16.30hrs (BST)
Tony
Woodley (BDMLR OnLine) spoke with Faye (Essex Coordinator) on her
mobile phone this afternoon. She has been evacuated about 10 miles
in land from the Florida coast. The last remaining staff at Mote
Marine Laboratory were giving the last feed to the remaining 6 dolphins
at the site. They cannot move them to another facility out of the
way of hurricane Charley as there is no site that can take them.
The dolphins are in pools not far from the coast and could be affected
by any storm surge. 5 turtles undergoing rehab are in the centres
cinema facility which is a solid/safe structure. The storm is a
category 4 on a scale of 1-5.
Click
HERE
for a Press item.
'Injured'
seal causes concern - Southend, U.K.
12th
August
Our
group were called at 12.09 PM on Saturday to a reported seal that
had been sighted “covered in blood” the local Pier and
Foreshore launch the “Alec White” responded and got
within 5 feet of this animal. We mobilised our team that included
Jim Farr RSPCA Inspector (acting Chief Inspector at the minute)
Adie Best the Pier and Foreshore Crewman that took the pic’s
Diane Day MMM and me. We mobilised the Argocat and all the gear
necessary and arrived at the location which is a wrecked Mulberry
a mile offshore at about 5.30 PM, unfortunately we were delayed
because the Argo floated a couple of times enroute, anyway when
we got to the Mulberry about a mile off Thorp Bay 4 members of the
public had already waded out and the seal had gone. We checked the
inside of the Mulberry carefully but no sign of the animal. We stayed
till about 7 PM and a seal did nearly haul out close to us but we
were unable to say if it was our little chap.
Bob
Archell ( BDMLR Director & Managing Director 'Divemaster
Insurance' )
images
by Adie Best - click pics for larger size |
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Comment
from BDMLR Director & Vet - James Barnett
It
is indeed a common/harbour seal (spotty coat, V shaped nostrils).
Difficult to judge age without knowing length, but I agree that
it is at least a year old probably. Re. the wound, I think I can
see a bit of a 'lip' to the pink area and I think there may be some
actual skin loss here, rather than just an abrasion. It looks reasonably
clean and fairly fresh and hopefully will heal with time, but it
could well bleed if the seal was to knock it on something and perhaps
that is what is what has happened.
[
News report - click HERE
]
Essex BDMLR Coordinator
in Florida assisting with dolphin rehab
Update 12th August : I don't think I'm going to
be able to get the photos to you for a couple of days because we've
got a hurricane coming! We're spending today moving/evacuating animals
and 'battoning down the hatches!' The six rough toothed dolphins
are staying here as they're too sick to move. By the way it's called
hurricane
Charley so look out for it on the news! Faye.
11th
August
I
am working at MOTE
Marine Laboratory in Florida for the next three weeks. The stranded
dolphins that were reported as having gone to Harbour Branch
are now here! I have just spent the morning working with them. They
are called Dopey, Sneezy, Sleepy, Happy, Bashful and Doc! They all
seem to be doing well. Happy has been reluctant to eat so he is
also being tube fed. I have been taking lots of photos and video
clips this morning so I will email them to you as soon as I have
downloaded them!
All the best,
Faye Archell - Essex Coordinator
12th
August
Newquay seal search - Part 2
Hi again,
Here is a breakdown of what happened since my previous
message...
I picked up Tim Bain from St Ives and met Phil back
at home. From there we drove to Newquay.
Arriving at Newquay, we checked the haulout beach
next to the harbour, but found nothing. We met some people fishing
off some nearby rocks, who said that a seal with a red patch or
mark on its head had been in the area a short while ago.
We met Medic Caroline Curtis and stayed in the vicinity
for a while in case the seal returned, which it didn't. During this
time, I updated Coordinator Dave Jarvis on our progress (he is in
Birmingham today with Lesley). Prior to our arrival, Caroline had
observed 5 seals, but none of which had any injuries.
We decided to relocate to the harbour, in case the
seal had attempted to follow a fishing boat in there, or even hauled
out there. 2 of the 'hooked' seals were in the harbour just lying
on the surface. No sign of any other seals. We then walked across
the beach to the main pier.
Arriving on the main pier, Tim looked over the wall
near the toilets to check Towan Beach (where the Blue Reef Aquarium
is) for the seal. Instead, he discovered an injured herring gull
behind the toilet building.
I went around the other side of the toilet building
and herded the gull towards Tim, who then caught it. Caroline helped
hold it while we tried to find and elastic band to keep its beak
closed. In the end, we improvised and used a plaster from Tim's
backpack. The gull's wing was then inspected, and found the left
wing to be broken where it joins the body. We then wrapped the gull
in Caroline's coat and used an empty cardboard box kindly donated
by an ice cream van operator on the pier to put it in. Caroline
agreed to keep the gull overnight, and would take it to Mousehole
Bird Sanctuary, near Newlyn, in the morning.
Having still not found any sign of the seal we later
left the area and contacted all the Medics who had been put on standby
of the outcome. Dave was updated again. Medic Tim Uff informed us
that he would contact us if any of the skippers he had called see
the seal. We returned home, just after a storm broke over St Ives
Bay, at 2150hrs.
Cheers,
Dan Jarvis - Medic
11th
August
Seal search underway at
Newquay, Cornwall
Medics
are currently en route to Newquay to search for a seal which was
apparently injured after being hit by a speedboat in the Newquay
area. The incident actually happened yesterday afternoon, but a
Medic was only informed of it today, and has contacted both the
National Seal Sanctuary and BDMLR.
Although further details
are not yet available, it is believed to be one of the 'hooked'
seals that fishing boat trip people throw what they catch to upoin
return to Newquay harbour (as I mentioned on the BDMLR Forum).
Coordinator Tim Bain, myself,
and Phil Jarvis are about to depart for Newquay to meet Medic Caroline
Curtis there to search the area. Medic Tim Uff, from the Newquay
area has been put on standby, and has also offered to call around
local skippers he knows in the hope that they may have more information.
Medic Imogen Ahern, who originally called the NSS and BDMLR, is
also attempting to get more details from her friends, who told her
of the incident.
Cheers,
Dan Jarvis - Medic
11th
August
One
of 7 rescued dolphins dies - Florida
The
death came as a surprise to experts since the dolphin was considered
one of the healthiest upon arrival at a Sarasota rehabilitation
facility.
One
of seven surviving dolphins from last week's disastrous beaching
on Hutchinson Island died Monday night at Mote Marine Laboratory
Dolphin and Whale Hospital in Sarasota.
The cause of
death was not immediately known.
"We believe
that there was both some heart and lung problems," said staff
veterinarian Tonya Clauss.
The death came
as a surprise to Mote staff, since the dolphin was considered one
of the healthiest upon arrival at the facility. A necropsy was performed
on the mammal Tuesday, but results will not be known for a few weeks.
The seven rough-toothed
dolphins first washed ashore Friday afternoon on Hutchinson Island,
north of Jensen Beach, in the first recorded mass stranding of the
deep-water species on Florida's East Coast. After a restranding
farther north on Walton Rocks Beach, the dolphins were transported
to Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution near Fort Pierce. They
were transferred late Sunday to Mote in a refrigerated 18-wheeler
truck donated by Publix Supermarkets and arrived at 1 a.m. Monday
for rehabilitation.
Nicknamed by
staff after Snow White's seven dwarfs, the six male dolphins and
one female were receiving round-the-clock care when "Grumpy,"
a male, took a turn for the worst at 10 p.m. Monday. Staff members
noted the mammal's sudden changes in behavior, indicating he was
in distress.
Emergency medications
were given to the dolphin, but he died within minutes.
The six remaining
dolphins will stay at Mote, where they are all considered to be
in critical condition, until they are healthy enough to be released,
Clauss said.
"They're
all doing at least OK," she said. "We're still hopeful,
and they are all on antibiotics and gastrointestinal protectants
and fluids. And we're gradually offering them more food."
Each dolphin
has a "50-50" chance of survival, Clauss said. If the
dolphins survive, they will be released together 100 miles offshore
in the Atlantic Ocean. They must be in deep water to survive the
release, Clauss said.
Thirty other
dolphins were euthanized by lethal injection last week after Friday's
mass stranding. The six healthiest were taken to Harbor Branch for
specialized care, and a seventh washed up Sunday morning near the
St. Lucie Power Plant, four miles north of the original strandings.
( source :
www.tcpalm.com )
Lossie
- Dundee- Inverkeithing seal pup relay diary
10th/11th August
Tues
16.30pm Medic Vicky Brown from Wiltshire who is on holiday
in Scotland finds a young common pup on Lossiemouth beach. Appearing
underweight she calls BDMLR Head Office for assistance.
Tues 17.10pm Fraserburgh Co-ordinator Kenneth McLennan
is notified of the pup and sends out a group text for local response.
He also calls Claire of the Macduff Marine Life Centre, and in turn
the local SSPCA are notified who respond to the call giving the
pup the all clear. Kenneth reports this back to head office. At
this point a second opinion was suggested as the pup, although lively
had laboured breathing.
Tues 18.20pm Sue White (BDMLR Head Office) was
in communications with Alan Knight BDMLR Director and James Barnett
BDMLR Vet and Director who suggested seeking possible veterinary
help. Sue Called the Montrose Co-ordinator Elaine Roft for Laurence
Brains phone numbers to see if he would give a second opinion. Elaine
informed Sue that Laurence was on holiday and wouldnt be available,
nor would the pup if it was to be uplifted be accommodated at The
Grampian Wildlife Trust as there would be nobody there to feed it.
Elaine passed on to Sue CRRU Vet Cameron McPhersons telephone number.
Meantime Alan Knight had already called Cameron who offered his
assistance.
Tues 18.27pm Sue White (BDMLR Head office) confirmed
to Elaine that Cameron and Caroline CRRU vet and veterinary nurse
were on their way to Lossiemouth to check the pup over.
Tues 18.30pm BDMLR Fraserburgh, BDMLR Montrose,
BDMLR Tayforth were on standby for doing a pup relay.Elaine called
SSPCA Middlebank to book a pen "provisionally" and said
that the pup would arrive at Middlebank sometime Wednesday morning
if it was to be uplifted.
Tues 20.52pm Cameron McPherson CRRU vet along with
vet nurse Caroline arrived on Scene to find a thin, dehydrated,
underweight pup, which given its circumstances was quite lively.
Temperature was 37.6, and the lungs were harsh. 400mls Lectade Plus
was administered on scene before the pup commenced the first leg
of its journey to Gardenstown by Cameron and Caroline.
Tues 21.10pm Elaine called Kenneth who set off
from Fraserburgh to meet the CRRU team at Gardenstown and Elaine
left Brechin heading for Montrose to pick up her colleague before
driving to Newburgh to meet Fraserburgh co-ordinator Kenneth McLennan.
Tues 22.32pm Cameron and Caroline are at Portsoy
en route to Gardenstown to meet Kenneth for the change over and
the second leg of the pups journey.
Tues 23.45pm Elaine and Paul arrive at Newburgh
where Kenneth McLennan and pup are waiting to do a change over.
The pup now named "Lossie" continues on the third leg
of the journey with Elaine and Paul driving from Newburgh to Broughty
Ferry.Tayforth Co-ordinator Gareth Norman is kept posted throughout
the journey by Elaine giving locations and an ETA for arrival at
the BDMLR Resource and Rescue Unit at Broughty Ferry, Dundee.
Wed 01.34am Yaaaaaaaawn....Elaine and Paul arrive
at the Unit where Gareth Norman is waiting. The pup is given a short
resting period after its long journey and Elaine and Paul revived
with coffee and cookies!
Wed 01.50am The pup is weighed in at 9.5kg, 240mls
Lectade plus rehydration fluids are given, and 1 aquavit tablet
and 1/2 synulox 250mg administered. Pup is given REF No DD5-0304
for BDMLR Dundee Unit.
Wed 02.15am Elaine and Paul leave Broughty Ferry
to resume their journey back home. Gareth Norman would give fluids
again at 06.30 hrs then again at 10.00hrs before the pup departed
from the unit for transfer to SSPCA Middlebank later in the morning.
Wed 04.00am Elaine and Paul are finally home.
Many thanks to Wiltshire Medic
Vicky Brown, CRRU Vet Cameron McPherson and CRRU Vet nurse Caroline,
Fraserburgh Co-ordinator Kenneth McLennan, Claire from Macduff Marine
Life Centre, Montrose Co-ordinator Elaine Roft and Montrose Medic
Paul Horne, Tayforth Co-ordinator Gareth Norman, SSPCA Grampian
area,SSPCA Middlebank, BDMLR'S Sue White, BDMLR vet and Director
James Barnett and BDMLR director Alan Knight.
Sincere thanks to Montrose Medic
Paul Horne, who not only drove 200 miles +, but did so in hazardous
weather conditions, fog, thunder and lightning and torrential rain
that reduced us to15mph! and despite all this, stopped at Arbroath
on the way home, tired as he was, to help a lady at 03.00 am who
had driven up from Wigan and whose car tyre had blown! all done
in the storm that we endured.
Elaine
Roft
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Montrose Area Co-ordinator (Inverbervie-Easthaven)
10th
August
Common Dolphin at Sovereign
Harbour, Eastbourne
9th August
Harbour Staff
called Trevor Weeks from East Sussex Wildlife Rescue at 9.30pm on
Monday 9th August 2004, after several members of the public grew
concerned about a dolphin swimming in the outer section of Sovereign
Harbour, Eastbourne. The dolphin was first spotted just after 7pm.
Trevor who is also a BDMLR Marine Mammal Medic visited the site
to assess the situation as the harbour staff thought the dolphin
was only a baby and they were also concerned that it was circling.
On arrival Trevor quickly spotted the 2 metre long adult common
dolphin swimming around the entrance to the main lock. It was active
and breaching the water every 15-20 seconds. There were high numbers
of fish outside the lock and it was thought the dolphin may have
followed them into the harbour.
At one point the dolphin started rolling to one side and seemed
to be rather lethargic so Trevor called Alan Knight for a second
opinion.
Luckily the dolphins activity seemed to improve and stopped showing
any signs of poor health.
However, Alan and Trevor were both concerned that the dolphin may
not find its way back out of the harbour due to the curving entrance
and shallow western bank.
Low tide was at 01:08am so Trevor agreed to stay till after low
tide to monitor the dolphin and ensure it did not become stranded.
At 2.15am Trevor left the dolphin swimming around outside the lock.
Harbour staff kept an eye on the dolphin throughout the night.
It was last seen at 6.30am by harbour staff. Trevor returned at
7am and checked the outer harbour but could find no sign of the
dolphin.
Trevor Weeks
BDMLR
Wedding !
All at BDMLR wish Simon Drayton & Beverley Walker (BDMLR medics
in Scarborough area) good luck on their forthcoming wedding day
this Thursday
12 August 04. Everyone at BDMLR would like to wish them every happiness
in the future.
(Via
Sue White - BDMLR HQ)
Scotland -
Seal Pup Rescue Underway
10th August - 19.50hrs
CRRU vet Cameron
McPherson and his veterinary nurse partner Caroline are currently
on their way to Lossiemouth to attend a seal pup.
BDMLR groups at Montrose, Fraserburgh
and Tayforth are on standby for doing a pup relay.
More news to follow.
Elaine
Roft
Thirty
dolphin euthanized after Friday's beachings - Florida
Sunday, August 08, 2004
Scientists early Saturday (7th) euthanized
30 dolphin that beached near the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant,
despite earlier efforts of volunteer rescuers to push them to deeper
waters.
Six, however, were saved and taken to
the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, where they were being
given fluid Saturday evening as scientists fought dehydration.
"A lot of these animals were in
the process of dying already," said Gregory Bossart, director
of marine mammal research and conservation at Harbor Branch, a private
ocean research facility north of Fort Pierce.
Full report
HERE
2nd Report
HERE
First report
HERE
Whales at risk
in sonar sea exercises
8th August
It is one of
the loudest sound systems devised by man, capable of sending a sonic
boom so thunderous experts warn it can rupture the brains of whales
hundreds of miles away.
Yet defence chiefs have earmarked a
staggering £340m for a new submarine sonar system increasingly
linked to a number of mysterious whale deaths. Experts yesterday
condemned the decision to press ahead without even a public meeting
into its effects. A single ping of the new low-frequency technology
can affect animals across 3.8 million square kilometres of water,
roughly the size of the Pacific Ocean.
The noise, far greater than any natural
sound, has been linked to ear damage and harm to body tissue, and
can trigger intense confusion. Startled whales surface too quickly
and suffer the bends, a decompression sickness that affects deep-sea
divers but was thought an impossible condition in whales.
Complete article
HERE
5th
August
Seal
Rescue at Spurn Head
5th August
I received a phone
call today at 13.00 by Alan the RSPCA inspector in the Hull/Harrogate
area, they had received a report that a seal pup had been seen last
night and this morning at Spurn Head nr the life boat station and
Jetty. I informed Rocky Clark the Co-ordinator for the Hull area
who called out Neil Ray and his wife. They found the pup to be about
3 or 4 months old, very dehydrated and emaciated and also had a
problem with its left flipper. He did a marvellous job and drove
the seal about 60 mile to the Scarborough
Sea Life Sanctuary. Photos to follow soon.
Sue White
at BDMLR HQ
Update
: 10/08/04 - The seal pup that was found at Spurn Head &
taken to the Sea Life Sanctuary at Scarborough is doing really well.
It’s swollen flipper has now gone down & it’s taking
food and eating well. Sue White.
Seal
Relay from Dover to Hunstanton
Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary wishes to thank medics
and behind the scenes staff for their assistance in transporting
a seal from Dover up to Hunstanton.
The seal, named Selma, was a rehab from 2003, released
early in 2004. The animal has now come back into captivity due to
a major worm infestation and a lovely hole in the roof of its mouth.
I’ve attached a picture below to show you all the wound.
The creamy coloured area is actually bone!!!!
Once again thank you especially to Mark Stevens
and Faye Archell, who did the transport up to Hunstanton. I hope
you enjoyed your shower Mark!!!!!!!! Just for interest a couple
of shots of one of the worms is also shown below.
Kindest Regards,
Kieran
Copeland,
Anglian Co-ordinator
3rd
August
Seal
Pup found injured in Kingsgate, Broadstairs
2nd/3rd
August
Yesterday,
at approx. 3pm, Jo & Tim Malpass, medics from Deal in Kent received
their first call out since completing their medic training in April
this year. Jo received the call from Mark Stevens who had been informed
by the RSPCA that an injured Common Seal pup had been sighted at
Kingsgate Bay in Broadstairs.
Enthusiastic
and eager to get involved Jo quickly arranged to leave her work
in Dover and contacted husband Tim to come and meet her. They set
off together, Jo talking 
gibberish
and referring to the training manual on the way, when at approx.
4pm as they were 5 minutes away from Broadstairs they received a
call from Mark saying that the RSPCA had got the seal and it was
being transported to a vet, and they wouldn’t be needed afterall!
Disappointed to miss out on all the action, but of course pleased
that the seal had been dealt with quickly they turned back.
Following
a phonecall with Mark it transpired that the seal captured had previously
been tagged and was identified as one of the Norfolk seals. The
seal sanctuary in Norfolk were contacted and it was agreed that
the animal would be transported to the sanctuary for rehabilitation.
[photo by Alison Stevens. Click pic for larger
image]
Determined
to get involved Jo met Mark Stevens today at Burham House Veterinary
Surgery in Dover where the seal was being held, and witnessed first
hand Mark Stevens having a shower after being covered in seal poo!
The seal was reported to have perked up from the previous day, however
there did appear to be a large ulceration in the mouth and an injury
to one of the flippers. It looked to be one of last years pups and
was quite a fiery character giving Mark a bit of a wrestle! At 1.30pm
the seal was safely in the back of Marks car being transported to
Thurrock where it would be transferred to another medic.
Jo
Malpass
Marine Mammal Medic
2nd
August
Large
whale carcass spotted floating of South Coast, U.K.
2nd August
Alan
Knight (BDMLR Director) reported, when diving off Newhaven on the
1st August, hearing that there was a dead whale floating in the
area off Lee on Solent. Further reported in the area at 10.00am
on Monday (2nd Aug). These pics, taken 2nd August near Cowes, were
sent in by BDMLR member Peter Simmonds from the Isle of Wight.
So, if it comes ashore ... don't be
too surprised !
A
special thanks to Peter for sending in the pics.
Photos
by Peter Simmonds ( click thumbnails for larger pics ) |
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1st
August
Seal
pup gets helping hand - Ferryden, Scotland
Sunday
August 1st, Elaine Roft (Montrose coordinator) was called bya member
of the public (Brian Ogilvie) saying that there was a pup on the
rocks at Ferryden that he thought may be injured. Laurence Brain
was called to see if he could accomodate the pup if this was needed,
but with him due to go his holidays and our Aberdeen rescued pup
"Markie" being transferred to SSPCA Middlebank on thursday
or friday he had to decline. Gareth Norman (Tayforth coordiantor)
was willing to house the animal at the Dundee resource and rescue
unit overnight where it would then be transferred in the morning
to SSPCA Middlebank where Sandra Bonar confired to Elaine that she
had a pen free. Sue Threlfall and Paul Horne responded to the call
with Bob Pert and Elaine on standby to assist. Confirmation was
received at 8pm by Sue to say that the common pup (weaned) was bright,
active and alert but was stuck on a high rocky ledge. A helping
hand was offered to the pup by Sue and Paul to a lower haul out.
Several minutes later it was seen swimming across the river to join
the common seals and 1 pup already hauled out.
Thanks
to Brian Ogilvie for calling us with his concerns
Gareth Norman (Tayforth Coordiantor) for provision of temporary
accommodation if needed
Sandra Bonar (SSPCA) for confirming a pen if the pup was to be a
rehab candidate
Elaine
Roft
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Montrose Area Co-ordinator (Inverbervie-Easthaven)
