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July 2004 News

 

  

30th July

Three call outs in a week for North Essex Medics

Marine Mammal Medic Leon Woodrow has been called out for the third time in a week. He was first called out on Thursday 22nd July to a common seal that was sitting on Walton beach sunbathing with the locals. The seal had a tag (thought to be from Natureland, Skegness) and seemed to be in good health. The seal was attracting a crowd and some people were caught throwing stones at it, so for the seals safety Leon scared it off (he has a reputation with the local seals!!) and it has been seen swimming quite happily around the North Essex coast.

Then on Monday 26th July Leon received a call saying that a Common Pup had been spotted in Clacton on Sea with blood around its mouth; there was no sign of its mother. Leon caught the seal and gave it a health check and tube fed it. The blood was from a series of wounds in its mouth. RSPCA Inspector Jim Farr then transported it to East Winch where it was called Holly Blue.

Finally on Friday 30th July Leon received a call about a Common Pup that had been seen on the beach at Frinton on sea. It had been sitting on the shore for six hours and again had blood around its mouth. Leon and MMM Andy Rutson Edwards and Tony Haggis collected the seal and discovered what looked like bite marks around the head it also had a temperature of 39°. Andy tube fed it and they have transported it to East Winch.

I would like to thank Leon, Andy and Tony for all their hard work in caring for and transporting these seals. I would also like to thank Inspector Jim Farr who always liaises with BDMLR on rescues in the area – it’s great when two organisations work so well together.

Faye Archell
BDMLR Essex Coordinator

28th July

UPDATE : Gravesend - Grey Seal

The Gravesend Grey seal rescued by BDMLR Medics on the 16th July, has been found to be be full of shot gun pellets.

The seal was transported to Hunstanton Sealife Centre for initial treatment and was then transferred to East Winch (RSPCA Wildlife Hospital). When vets there x-rayed the seal (which medics had already identified as being possibly blind) was found to have 30 pellets in the skull and 2 pellets in each eye. (The wounds were healed so nothing was visible externally)

The seal is blind in one eye and there is damage to the other. It is not known, as yet, if the sight can be saved in this eye. Plans are being made about the long term future for the seal. I will keep the 'news informed as things progress.

Mark Stevens
BDMLR Director

[ click HERE for original item ]

BDMLR / CRRU Rescue Common seal pup - Aberdeen

27th July

CRRU Vet Cameron McPherson notified BDMLR at 12.30 hrs on Tuesday 27th July of a seal pup hauled out on Aberdeen Beach adjacent to Pittodrie football grounds. Fraserburgh Co-ordinator Kenneth McLennan called Montrose Co-ordinator Elaine Roft and Tayforth Co-ordinator Gareth Norman to see if they could advise as to who was covering the Aberdeenshire area with the Co-ordinator Nick Duthie being offshore. At 17.00 hrs Elaine received a call from Head Office asking if she was able to assist the Aberdeen medics currently on scene. Through communications with the Aberdeen medics already on scene (Tarryn, Hayley and Adelle), it transpired that the pup had actually been in the same area since the evening before (this wasnt mentioned to the CRRU when the call was first taken by Cameron). Cameron (CRRU) along with his partner Caroline who is a veterinary nurse agreed to meet the Medics on scene to assist. Elaine Roft and Bob Pert (Montrose co-ordinator and deputy) arrived at 19.30 hrs with the holding tank and Laurence Brain was ready to accommodate the pup if it was to be uplifted. Cameron and Caroline performed a health check which revealed that the male common pup named "Markie" was fully weaned. He was alert, and responsive with good colouring to the mucous membranes, but he was very tired. The temperature reading was normal, but the pups lungs were harsh on both the left and right sides, and he had a heart murmur with a scale reading of ll (2) (rated from 1-6 in roman numerals). "Markie" also had slight diarrhoea and was thin on the hips with a visible neck showing. Half a litre of Lectade plus was administered before Elaine and Bob transported him to New Deer rehabilitation facilities arriving at 21.30hrs.

Many thanks to Cameron and Caroline - CRRU Vet and vet nurse (Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit)

Aberdeen Medics Tarryn, Hayley and Adelle

Montrose Co-ordinator and Medic Elaine Roft

Montrose Deputy Co-ordinator and Medic Bob Pert ( also took photos )

Leanne (first caller who alerted us)
Member of the public who observed it the evening before

Elaine Roft
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Montrose Area Co-ordinator (Inverbervie-Easthaven)

Pics : Bob Pert [ click images for larger size ]

Aberdeen Medics Tarryn, Adelle and Hayley

Aberdeen Medics with Montrose coordinator Elaine Roft, CRRU vet Cameron and vet nurse Caroline

"Markie" in rehab at Laurence Brains

Busy day for Medics in West Cornwall

26th July

At around midday, lifeguards at Hayle Beach contacted Tim Bain, one of the Area Coordinators for West Cornwall regarding a dolphin stranding. Tim informed the other Area Coordinator, Dave Jarvis, who called out myself and Medic Lesley Jarvis to go to the site immediately. Upon arrival, we observed a lifeguard RIB patrolling the sea just offshore, and another lifeguard on a quad bike scanning the surf. We introduced ourselves to the lifeguard on the quad bike, and she told us what had happened.

She had spotted the dolphin in shallow water about to strand. It was swimming on its side and appeared to be a young animal. Once it had stranded, it was noticed to be breathing quickly, but had no apparent major injuries beyond the usual scrapes and scratches incurred during the initial stranding. She, another lifeguard, and a family of holidaymakers had quickly pushed the dolphin back out to sea. The other lifeguard followed it out on a surfboard, but had quickly lost sight of it.

We helped the lifeguards search the area, and informed other people on the beach of the situation and what to do if it restranded. We also handed out some Marine Mammal Emergency Response leaflets to the lifeguards once Tim and Dave had arrived. All of the lifeguard stations on the beach were alerted about the incident and advised to keep a lookout, while other strategic locations all around St Ives Bay and Hayle estuary were similarly informed.

At approximately 1530, just as Lesley and I arrived home, we were alerted by the National Seal Sanctuary that they had received a call to a possible trapped seal at Godrevy. Upon arriving there, closely followed by Dave Jarvis and Medic Caroline Curtis, we initially located one of the recently released seals from the Sanctuary, which was playing in a rock pool on the beach. Whilst we were looking for the possibly trapped seal, Dave received a further telephone call from one of his contacts in Hayle Harbour, to advise that a crowd of people had gathered looking at something in the water… the dolphin? We requested C-SMOG (Cornish Seal Monitoring and Observation Group) member Terry Hocking to continue looking for the seal and report back to us, while we relocated to the harbour area at the opposite end of the beach.

At the estuary, we again could not find the dolphin, or the crowd. It was just a family ‘crabbing’ off one of the piers – false alarm!
After this, we decided to go home.

Later in the evening, Dave was again contacted by the National Seal Sanctuary about the possible entangled seal at Godrevy. Unfortunately it was apparently some way offshore and consequently Dr Glenn Boyle, Curator of the Sanctuary, advised that a rescue would be impossible.

The Sanctuary staff then called again, this time about an injured seal at Newquay, in the harbour. It had hooks caught on its body and appeared to be in distress. Like the seal at Godrevy, this one was also in the water, so nothing could be done.
Three days prior, RSPCA officer Felicity Cross had been called out to the same seal hauled out in Newquay Harbour, but had gone back into the water by the time she arrived to investigate. However, she was able to observe it by torchlight swimming in the water.

Postscript: Tim, Dave and Lesley made a planned trip to Newquay on the 27th in an attempt to observe, and if possible, capture the animal for treatment by members of the Animal Care Team at the Seal Sanctuary. The seal was not found at that time, but Dave did get a call at 0700 on the 28th from the Sanctuary to say that it had hauled out overnight. Fleur Bennett, a member of the Animal Care Team, attended to gather information for us all to review and formulate a rescue plan, if required.


Medic Dan Jarvis
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
West Cornwall

24th July

Scarborough Festival of the Sea 24th/25th July

BDMLR Medics provide a demonstration of rescue techniques

Pics : Simon Drayton via phonecam (click for larger images)

23rd July

BDMLR Meet with Fishermen to try and prevent seal shooting - Torbay, U.K.

21st July

Well after much delay, caused by a number of factors including ; poor weather, unsuitable wind direction, lack of fish in the bay etc ..... I finally got the opportunity to go out with the fishermen in Torbay to look at the problem they have been experiencing, of rogue seals taking fish from their surface set nets and damaging the nets quite seriously when doing this.

Wednesday 21st July

Left Torbay harbour with Terry and his son Andrew at 8.30pm and got back in to the harbour at 12.30am.

Their boat is an 18ft open fishing boat and thankfully the weather was great. It was a very mild evening with light winds and clear skies.

The plan was to go and set their floating nets at the usual spots where they catch either mackerel or sardines. A 'fish finder' (echo locator) is used.

Normally they don't shoot a net until it is dark as they find that shooting while it's light means they don't get any fish. The first net was shot early as the purpose of the trip was to see if a seal came to the nets and then we would attempt to scare it using the 'scrammer' which was on loan from Ace Aquatec.

It turned out to be the worst nights fishing that they had encountered for four years ! .......... only about 20 mackerel in that net and once it was dark, we moved across the bay to another site and shot the sardine net. Not much at all in that one and, not surprisingly, no sign of a seal anywhere !

However, it was still a very positive and good natured evening. We had much time to discuss the problem face-to-face and both 'sides' agreed that it had been a very positive meeting.

I have provided them with a copy of the Seal-Fisheries Interactions report and Terry and Andrew are going to try a number of non lethal alternatives to try and reduce the damage to their nets .... which I did see evidence of.

Credit should be given to these chaps ... they have come forward for help and assistance, which is more than can be said for many fishermen who just go ahead and shoot the seals.

Another 'positive' was a personal one for me ....... I have never experienced phosphorescence and I got quite a spectacular display of this amazing phenomenon as we motored around the bay and when the nets were hauled in..... fascinating.

An open and good natured dialogue remains between BDMLR and these fishermen and we have pledged to keep in touch about this issue.

It is my opinion* that the scrammer would have had little effect, due to its limited radius of effectiveness and the fact that even if it had been of any use .... its cost (£4000) prohibits these fishermen from finding it at all commercially viable. Thanks to Ace Aquatec for the loan of one of their units.

If you would like to comment on this item, please go to the BDMLR Forum where a topic is running.

Cheers,

Tony Woodley

BDMLR OnLine

Exmouth Rescue/Training Co-ordinator

( * also discussed with John Hopkins of Ace Aquatec and the fishermen )

Seal pup at St. Andrews - Scotland
21st July, 2004

I went and picked up Gareth and we got to the seal about 10.30am. The beach was really busy and the seal was being pestered by what seemed to be the population of the United States, and their dogs. Fiona Burnett local vet/medic from St Andrews popped by too. Leaving the seal there was not an option so we picked it up and took it to the PvG vet hospital. It was about 2-3 weeks old and a little underweight but nothing too drastic, and the temp was ok too. We gave it 200ml of fluids and re released it on a nearby (quiet) beach called Kingsbarns. It took to the water after about 20 mins and looked to be staying quite close to shore. It is in a reasonably quiet location in decent health, like I said, a bit underweight but not too bad, has had fluids so should be okay for the next couple of days. We left strandings posters and leaflets on the beach notice board.

Alan Brunton
Medic

Sonar to Blame for Beached Whales, Report Says
23rd July

Sonar used by the military to spot enemy submarines is to blame for the increasing number of whales stranding themselves on beaches and dying, the scientific committee of the International Whaling Commission said in a report Thursday.

The IWC report adds weight to theories that sonar harms the giant sea mammals, a hypothesis that has been disputed by the military and by the oil and gas industry, which uses the technology to search for energy reserves.
"There is now compelling evidence implicating military sonar as a direct impact on beaked whales in particular," said the report released at the IWC's four-day annual convention.

The report cited examples of bizarre and self-destructive whale behavior that seemed to have been caused by military sonar, such as a mass stampede of 200 melon-headed whales into shallow water in Hawaii earlier this month during a U.S.-Japanese naval training exercise. One animal died.

One theory of scientists is that the noise disrupts whales' communication and navigation systems. Another is that the signals confuse whales in deep water, forcing them to surface quickly, causing rapid decompression and a form of the bends.

The report may strengthen the hand of conservation groups that are threatening to sue the U.S. Navy over its use of mid-frequency sonar. The Natural Resources Defense Council has already secured an injunction limiting the U.S. Navy's use of new low-frequency sonar that can travel vast distances through the oceans and is now targeting the more common mid-frequency sonar.

( source : www.washingtonpost.com )

Rare Whale Dies After Beaching In Southeastern Florida

22nd July

A rare Gervais' beaked whale died Thursday, two days after beaching itself at St. Lucie Inlet State Park.

The juvenile whale, of a deep-water species rarely seen in coastal waters, was rescued Tuesday and transferred to a tank at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, a marine research facility.

The death dashed hopes of veterinarians who had noticed slight improvements in its condition.

"We're all saddened, but it's not surprising," said Greg Bossart, director of marine mammal research at the Fort Pierce facility.

Gervais' baked whales have a distinct, extended skull like a porpoise, and are cousins of bottlenose dolphins

Bossart said the work will now focus on gathering as much data as possible from body of the 7 1/2 foot, 400-pound male, The Stuart News reported.

Bossart said the stranding was likely the result of the whale being separated from its mother without yet learning how to care for itself. The whale was eight months to a year old, he said.

Researchers had already conducted hearing tests to determine that the stranding was not caused by damage to its hearing and navigational abilities. Previous strandings of the deep-water species had been linked to sonar testing by the U.S. Navy.

( source : www.local6.com )

[ related article + image : HERE ]

Britain seeks end of dolphin killing fields

23 July 2004

Britain is to seek the closure of Europe's major dolphin-killing fishing grounds, where most of the boats involved are French, the Government announced yesterday.

It is asking the European Commission to shut the winter sea bass fishery in the Western Approaches to the English Channel, where thousands of dolphins are now thought to be dying every year after becoming entangled in fishing nets.

The move was warmly welcomed yesterday by green groups, but it will be strongly resisted by some EU member states, led by France.

The French fleet of 60 or so trawlers are the main participants in the lucrative hunt for what has become Europe's favourite table fish. A smaller number of boats from other nations are involved, including Britain, Ireland, Spain, Denmark and the Netherlands.

Full item : HERE

Baby humpback rescue bid fails - Australia
July 22, 2004

A BABY humpback whale which twice stranded itself on a beach on the Sunshine Coast has died, despite repeated rescue attempts.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Great Sandy operations manager Greg Walker said the 3.9m newborn male, which still had its umbilical cord, stranded itself yesterday on a beach north of Noosa.

"The whale first stranded 2km south of the Cherry Venture shipwreck on Teewah Beach, next to Cooloola section of the Great Sandy National Park," he said.

"Park visitors refloated the whale and directed it seaward.

"However, the whale stranded itself again 1.5km south of Cherry Venture."

Mr Walker said there was no sign of the whale's mother or other whales in the area.

He said sea conditions were quite rough, which made sightings and refloating difficult.

"We activated our action plan for the welfare of stranded animals, and called a vet from Noosa who came to the site," Mr Walker said.

"When the animal was being transported under sedation to Freshwater base for a detailed assessment by the vet, it died.

"At this stage there are no indications of why the whale stranded and an autopsy will be conducted."

Mr Walker said humpback numbers were increasing at about 10 per cent a year.

But as the population increased so did the likelihood of naturally occurring deaths.

( source : www.news.com.au )

Lost beluga whale cavorts on coast - Nova Scotia
22nd July

Whale experts are looking for the public's help in tracking a lonely beluga whale named Poco that's been cavorting with boats and swimmers up and down the Atlantic coast.

Poco is a three-year-old whale who was first seen swimming close to boats off Pocologan, on the New Brunswick shore of the Bay of Fundy.

Since then he's been playing with divers off Boston and boats off the coast of Maine.

Kathy Kinsmen is with the whale stewardship program in Nova Scotia, and says Poco seems to have lost his pod. "He's been visiting swimmers and kayakers, just about anything that happens to be in the water, he's quite inquisitive, [he's a] curious little animal that wants to investigate everything."

Kinsmen says Poco has been befriending boats, but warns it can be dangerous to play with a whale. "The whale stewardship project has had to rescue people out of the water just simply because the whale started playing."

Poco was seen recently near Canadian waters, and Kinsmen asking anyone who sees the whale to call them. She hopes by tracking the beluga they might learn something from his behavior, and maybe someday help him find another pod to swim with.

( www.nb.cbc.ca.com )

[ related article + pics : HERE ]

20th July

Frank Mulreany

Frank Mulreany, long time member of the Irish Seal Sanctuary, veterinary surgeon extraordinaire, and a downright lovely person, has died today (17th July), after a long battle with cancer.

Frank represented the ISS in Donegal and took in and cared for many many seals. One of his patients who couldn't be released became a long term companion, Sally, a harbour seal, only died a short while ago after living with Frank for 13 years.

Frank was buried after 11.30am mass in Sligo cathedral on Monday 19th July. He is survived by his wife Carmel.

For those who would like to send their condolences, the address is 'Toberkeane', Dunloe, Co Donegal. Our thoughts are with all those who cared for him, particularly his wife Carmel at this lonely time.

Pauline Beades

(via James Barnett)


Seal Survey Volunteers Wanted

This year there is going to be a concentrated seal survey along the north Kent coast from Sheppey/Medway estuary round to Deal. We (Myself, Brett Lewis, Seawatch and Kent Wildlife Trust) are aiming to undertake 6 surveys during the next few months. Two of these will be trial surveys but two will be 'full coverage' surveys and will involve trying to survey significant sections of the coast and many of the offshore sandbanks for seals over specific low tides. These full coverage surveys are planned for August/September and will be both shore and small boat based.

If any BDMLR Medics would like to be involved please just let me know. The more folks who can take part the better coverage we can achieve.

Jon Bramley

MOVE TO PREVENT DOLPHIN DEATHS - UK

19th July

Acoustic pingers to prevent dolphins deaths will become compulsory in local fishing waters from January 2006 for all vessels over 12 metres. The confirmation comes from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in a letter to the Devon Sea Fisheries (DSF) committee.

In a bid to cut the rising tide of dolphin and porpoise deaths around the West Country shore and other fishing areas, the Government has introduced a warning system of sound devices (pingers) attached to nets following a sustained campaign by environmentalists.

In a rolling programme of enforcement, it is gradually being introduced in the English Channel, the Celtic Sea and North Sea. Drift nets are also being banned completely in the Baltic Sea from 2008.

The fisheries committee, which meets in Exeter on Friday, will hear that the over 12-metre fleet will need to install the devices in the Baltic in bottom set nets of 220mm mesh size or larger from June, 2005.

In the same sea area, bottom set nets less than 400 metres long will need to show the changes by August, 2005.

Defra has confirmed that mid-water (pelagic) trawlers over 15 metres in high priority areas like the Channel will be monitored from January next year and other fishing grounds from January, 2006.

The under 15 metre fleet will be subject to observers under a separate pilot scheme.

The Seafish Industry Authority, partly funded by Defra, is currently conducting trials on the handling and affective use of various makes of pinger.

( source : www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk

19th July

Hi all,

Here's the international 'round-up' as promised ....... well, mostly Australian news.

Cheers,

Tony Woodley
BDMLR OnLine

Exmouth Rescue/Training Co-ordinator

Grieving whales farewell their young - Australia

19th July

Earlier today, a couple of whales putting on a show at Mermaid Waters, the Gold Coast, initially thrilled morning walkers with their antics, but suspicions were soon raised when the pair failed to move on.

Reports that another whale might be trapped in the shark nets under the breaching whales soon emerged.

In the water, lifeguards on boards got within 100m of the whales, but were unable to judge if any animal was caught.

Kurrawa Lifeguard Tony Lunney took a surfski out to the breaching whales to assess the situation at around 8:30, and said that it looked like a juvenile whale was trapped.

"Something's caught in the right side of the net," he said. "It's down deep, so that probably means the whale's deceased and it's pulled that side of the net down."

Tony was extremely cautious around the whales on his surfski. "In the past, I've seen them get pretty angry about losing a baby, obviously, like anybody would," he said. "Their behaviour can get pretty unpredictable."

Boating and Fisheries soon confirmed that it a juvenile whale that was trapped, and that the animal had died.

Gold Coast Boating and Fisheries District Manager, Wayne Docherty, said fisheries officials had some difficulty getting close to the whale, because of activity from the adult family group.

"There are two large adults that are cruising around the area rather rapidly," he said. "They're very protective, very intimidating, due to the size of them."

Boating and Fisheries planned to tow the remains of the small whale out to sea, after taking some samples from it (for scientific analysis).

The parents/ guardians of the baby whale are expected to follow it out to deeper waters.

( photos and audio clip : HERE )

Cold waters leave whales washed up

16th July

Whale strandings are no longer quite such a mystery - on the beaches of south-east Australia at least.

An analysis of data collected over more than 80 years has revealed that a disproportionate number of cetaceans beach themselves in the region every 10 to 12 years. The stranding events appear to be triggered by a climate phenomenon called the zonal westerly winds.

"Strandings were thought to be pretty random events - or suspected of being linked to climate events like El Niño - but nothing had been demonstrated. We have shown a clear pattern," says Mark Hindell of the Antarctic Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Tasmania in Hobart.

Tasmania is one of the world's hotspots for cetacean strandings. Common dolphins, sperm whales and long-finned pilot whales are three of the species that most commonly beach themselves.

Hindell's team analysed data on all cetacean strandings in Tasmania from 1920 to 2002. In peak stranding years, there were about 10 times as many stranding events as in trough years. During the last peak, in 1992, there were 29 stranding events. When the team looked at stranding data from the state of Victoria, in southern mainland Australia, they found the same pattern.

Sea temperature

Then they looked for a possible environmental explanation. They noticed that the occurrence of stranding events correlated with variations in summer sea-surface temperature and sea-level air pressure off Tasmania, which are indicators of shifts in the movement of zonal westerly winds across the Australian continent.

Roughly every 10 years, these winds cause severe storms and a rise in the amount of cold sub-Antarctic water that moves north to the Tasmanian coast, Hindell says.

Many whale species stick to this colder water, as it is richer in nutrients. So as the colder water gets closer to the coast, so too do the whales and dolphins, he says.

Although this does not explain precisely what causes the whales to strand, knowing about these regular peaks in beachings should help whale rescue groups prepare by stepping up community training in how to deal with a stranded whale, or even by patrolling beaches during maximum danger periods.

"Information that can help with better preparing volunteers would be very useful," says Ron Ling, president of the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia, based in Sydney.

(source : www.newscientist.com )


Young humpback whale saved in nick of line - Australia
14th July

AN exhausted yearling humpback whale was disentangled from ropes near a Perth beach yesterday after swimming an estimated 600km dragging crayfishing pots and floats.

Seven wildlife officers from the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) freed the 12-month-old whale at about 2pm near Scarborough Beach in Perth's north. They approached in a rubber dinghy, attached buoys to slow the 10m animal then cut the lines that were wrapped around its body between its large pectoral fins and small dorsal fin.

CALM officers believe it was the same whale that was reported dragging crayfishing gear off Kalbarri on June 16 - the department deployed a rescue team but lost sight of it.

The craypots attached to the whale belong to a Geraldton fisherman licensed to fish in a zone that stretches between Exmouth, 1260km north of Perth, and Dongara, 360km north of Perth.

CALM chief wildlife officer David Mell said the whale was swimming in shallow water, probably in an attempt to avoid great white sharks that attack ailing whales by ambushing them from the ocean floor.

"It was very tired and swimming quite slowly when we found it," he said. In June 2002, CALM officers disentangled a yearling humpback whale at Jurien Bay in the north of Western Australia and found that sharks had eaten most of its right pectoral fin.

In July 2001, witnesses saw up to eight great white sharks attack a weakened whale entangled in fishing line at the head of the Great Australian Bight.

The young humpback is the fourth whale entangled off the West Australian coast this year.

On June 20, a humpback was spotted caught in cray pots and lines near Leeman, 300km north of Perth, and eventually disentangled three days later.

The same day off Lancelin, 130km north of Perth, another humpback became entangled in fishing lines and rope with floats - used for set line-fishing for dhufish and shark - and was disentangled by CALM officers soon afterwards.

( source : www.theaustralian.news.com.au )

Japan plans pro-whaling alliance
14th July

Japan has drawn up plans to replace the International Whaling Commission, whose annual meeting will start on 19 July.
The IWC remains deadlocked between the countries opposed to a resumption of commercial whaling and those, led by Japan, which say it should go ahead.

Members of Japan's ruling party now say they are prepared to go it alone and establish a new pro-whaling alliance.

They say in any case they may withhold part of their subscription to the IWC, in protest at its conservation work.

Full BBC report HERE

Montrose Medics rescue Common seal pup

17th July

Montrose volunteers Sue Threlfall and Paul Horne with junior helper Ryan, came across a young common pup hauled out at Woodston Fishing station this afternoon at 14.30 hrs. Elaine was notified and advised the volunteers to look for prescence of mum in the surf and to keep Elaine notified. With no sign of mum around after several hours of observation and an incoming tide with the pup hauled out next to several fishing nets where fishermen are licensed to shoot, it was decided it was in the pups best interests to have it uplifted. On examining the pup, it appeared to be very exhausted and underweight and its breathing laboured. The common pup named "Zak" was immediately taken to the local vets working with the group, by Elaine and Bob for an examination. The vet confirmed that the pup was almost certainly Just weaned judging by the umbilicus and in the process of learning to hunt. There were no discharges from the eyes, nose and mouth and the mucous membranes were fine. The vet confirmed that the pup was underweight, extremely exhausted and breathing most definitely laboured. The vet advised not giving treatment or fluids due to the breathing rate being laboured.

The pup was placed on a dampened sheet and transported to Laurence Brain at New Deer immediately. On arrival at New Deer at 18.30 hrs, Laurence decided to leave the pup to rest for an hour before administering fluids. Lungworm is probable according to Laurence, although he confirmed that it likely wouldnt show at this early stage of the pups life.

Many thanks to The owners of the Woodston B&B for the provision of coffee and the use of their garden, and to junior volunteer Ryan for all his help.

Elaine Roft
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Montrose Area Coordinator (covers Inverbervie - Easthaven)

Pics - Bob Pert (click images for larger pics)

Adult seal rescue - River Thames at Gravesend, Kent

16th July - 20.10hrs

BDMLR Director Mark Stevens and a team of ten Marine Mammal medics are currently rescuing an adult seal at an industrial area of Gravesend. The seal is very lethargic, possibly blind and "losing its fur". It is not the normal time of year that a seal would moult.

The Fire Brigade and an RSPCA Inspector are at the scene and animal has been caught up in BDMLR's large seal cage. Currently the Fire Brigade are starting to lift the seal/cage up a 20-25ft wall from the mud. It is planned to transport the seal to the Hunstanton SeaLife Sanctuary, Norfolk.

20.40hrs : The seal/cage have been recovered to the roadside. The seal will shortly start its journey to the wildlife hospital.

21.05hrs : The seal has left the area and is being transported to the SeaLife Sanctuary.

Full report to follow.

Pics - Jason Carter (click for larger images)

Adult seal rescue - River Thames at Gravesend, Kent

16th July 2004

Friday 5.15pm, received a call from Geoff Graham (the ex Area Coordinator) with the news that BDMLR Director Mark Stevens had been contacted by the RSPCA regarding a seal stranding in Gravesend (in the area of Crete Hall Road). Geoff and myself met up on route and drove to the location, joining up with Mark, Nick Kail, Chris Basu and Beth Clements (the RSPCA Inspector).

The seal appeared lethargic, visually impaired and moulting quite badly, approximately just over 6ft in length and 115kg in weight.

After assessing the situation a plan was hatched and off we went, Mark enjoying the 20-25ft top quality ladder decent to the shore (hehe). Moving along the base of the wall to an area behind the seal, armed with sheets, we approached from the rear and standing close behind, the seal decided it was time to evacuate to the Thames and leave us rubber clad odd people behind. Wrong! After a little chase some how I ended up on the back of the seal with Chris behind me and sheet in position. Geoff managed to get a climbing rope ready with some knots he learnt in Scouts and this was placed round the seals neck and then similarly around the back end. Houdini Seal wasn’t too impressed and managed to wriggle free a few times, but we hung on like limpets and finally a lull in her ‘get off me’ activities meant that we could get our breath back. Her temperature was taken (37 degrees) by Geoff and after a few more belts of energy and buckaroo bronco rides for us, she calmed down and allowed us a relatively easy rescue to be carried out, apart from some strategic planning on how do we get her up that 20-25ft sea wall!

By this time we had been joined by the other medics who had come to assist the rescue and between us managed to keep the seal in a peaceful position and safe from trying to re-enter the Thames. Working well as a team, swapping positions and assisting each other made the three hour rescue go like a dream. The high spirits flowed - with concern that one of the medics was on his second date with his new girlfriend and that she was eyeing up the firemen whilst waiting, poor Julie who was supposed to be waxing some ones legs (I did offer!) and by the looks of Chris’s wetsuit and the seal hair I thought she had already got to business on the seal, one medic desperate to get to his Indian meal and myself supposed to be at a wedding reception (damn good excuse though).

The main problem being to get the seal lifted was soon overcome after a few phone calls and the Fire Brigade arriving with the Bronto, plan being to lift the seal in the cage up and over the wall. The seal cage was lowered down the wall and positioned ready.

The seal was safely and easily manoeuvred into the cage and this was manhandled up the shore, some 100ft or so, towards the Bronto for lifting up and over. The only problem being was that it was too heavy for the machinery to lift, so luckily an animal rescue unit from Faversham Fire Brigade had also attended and this was then deployed to lift instead. This worked very well and the seal was safely positioned by her next mode of transport, Nick’s one week old Kia Sedona. (Nick, I would take it back to the garage and say it stinks of rotten fish, you may get a free valet from them!)

After a great team effort she was loaded in to the vehicle and was safely on route to Hunstanton Sealife Centre by 9.05pm, arriving around midnight. Nick and Geoff safely arriving back by 2.30am, well done guys!

I would like to thank all involved in this rescue, especially the Fire Brigade and the RSPCA for their assistance and faith in us. Well done everyone!

Jason Carter
Area Coordinator

[ Medics involved : Paul Bearman, Brian Belt, Steve Miller, Chris Basu, Paul Laird, Jenni Laird, Jason Carter, Julie Holden, Nick Kail and Geoff Graham. ]

Pics - Geoff Graham (click for larger images)

Mass Medic Course at Nottingham University - 13/14 July

235 students did the course in two sessions. Nine groups in the morning and nine groups in the afternoon.

A big thank you to all of the instructors who gave up a days holiday to work their buts off.

James Barnett, Geoff and Joe Hammock, Simon Drayton, Beverley Walker, Barney Jones, Trevor Weeks, Gavin Parsons , Faye Archell, Richard Ilderton and last but not least James Brett.

Alan Knight - BDMLR Director

click for larger images

 

pics by Simon Drayton (image phone) - click for larger images

 

Adult Male grey seal rescued from Salmon nets - Montrose, Scotland

13th July, 2004

Montrose Co-ordinator Elaine Roft was alerted of an adult male grey seal trapped in salmon nets at 15.15pm. The tide was on its way out, and initial observations indicated that the seal was entangled in the nets from its back to its rear flippers and in distress. The local Wildlife Crime Officers were called, who advised the team to notify the SSPCA as this was going to be a "confrontational" situation. The fishermen had the right to shoot this seal as it was in their nets, yet from an animal welfare point of view it was suggested that releasing the animal was in its best interests. Elaine called Alan Knight and James Barnett who gave the all clear to have the local vet attend in case the seal was injured or required sedation. The team were given permission from one of the fishermen to enter the net to try and release the adult seal, providing the nets were not cut or damaged. However, during this time, the director of the fisheries had been notified and was on his way to the nets to shoot the seal. Using the seal stretcher, the team entered the net via a "door", placed the stretcher over the seal scooping him up and then proceeded to work it through the door of the salmon net. The vet was happy that the seal was not traumatised in any way, and having managed to free itself from its initial entanglement suffered no major injuries.

The Medics and volunteers then released the seal further up the beach at 18.30hrs approx just as the director of the fisheries arrived with his gun to shoot it.

We are happy to report that the seal was released and set free. An adult Grey seal is not the easiest animal to attend but catching it in a small salmon net and passing it through a 2ft hole in the side, three feet up from the base without damaging any netting was not the easiest of operations.

The team have requested an urgent meeting with the the local WCO, SSPCA, and the Directors of the salmon fisheries so that the medics are aware of the position in which they stand should this happen again. According to the fisheries, in the future we are not to enter the nets to free seals (the interiors of salmon nets are private property), yet according to the SSPCA, its best that the seal is released from an animal welfare point of view. Also, by law, we are not at liberty to remove a healthy seal from it's environs and release it elsewhere but the salmon fisheries director was most displeased that we released it in the area of his nets! Not the best situation to be in when your caught in the middle!

Attending Medics Elaine Roft, Bob Pert, Rebecca Chambers, Thom McNeil, volunteers Paul Horne, John Roft, Jim Wilkins, Sue Threlfall and vet Ian Anderson. [ pic credit : Bob Pert - BDMLR & Sue Threlfall - volunteer ]

 

Bob opened the door at the end of the net but the hole was, unfortunately, too small. Although no bigger than the opening that it entered the net by, when a seal is out of water it does not have the dextrous ability it has underwater.

 

The animal is recovered using a special seal stretcher which negates the possibility of a rather vicious bite!

 

And don't come back!!!!!

 

Further pics - click on thumbnail for larger image

Seal Pup 'Rescue' - Shoeburyness, Essex

13th July, 2004

There I was just popped me evening antibiotic, asleep on the settee last night about 5.30 pm and the Essex Coordinator Faye [Archell] called to say there was a report from Southend Pier and Foreshore that there was a seal pup on the beach at Shoeburyness about 3 miles east of Leigh on Sea and there was a crowd gathering around it. They dispatched a Foreshore Inspector “Nigel” (nice bloke) but he was not equipped with wellies and could only supervise from the shore. I tried to send in a sick note but the Essex coordinator wasn’t having any of it so I had to pick up a Seal cage from work. It took me fifteen minutes because I got stuck in traffic along Southend’s Amusement part of the Esplanade. It was stop and go and Lee who was acting as link man from Pier and Foreshore HQ with me by mobile phone and to Nigel on the beach via radio said that the seal pup was being tended by a young boy who wouldn’t leave it and the tide was coming in! about 30ft away in fact. I had me BDMLR magnets on the sides and bonnet of my 4x4 so I put my hazards and headlights on, amazingly the bumper to bumper jam started to part and I was able to drive through, never done it before and don’t suppose I would do it again but it was an impulse and probably an illegal one too? I am not recommending it as BDMLR practice!

Anyway I had to drive through Gunners Park and through a hole in a fence on to MOD property, a bit of advice to BDMLR members if you are going to buy a 4x4 for rescues don’t buy a new one, mine is seventeen years old, cherished, but it isn’t the end of the world if I scratch or damage it. Anyway Gunners Park use to be a small arms range for the military reserves, I found Nigel with the mother of the boy on an old loading pier just to be told the pup had just swum away as I arrived. I could see the lad walking in with the tide following him. What to do? I handed out some binoculars to Nigel and Mum and the boy took over from Mum when he arrived, I told them to tell me if they spotted the seal. The boy said “you won’t see it now, it swam away with the two bigger seals!” Ah! I thought I was getting somewhere now…. I then debriefed the boy over the estimated size and weight of the pup, apparently it was round, torpedo shaped with no loose folds or rib cage marks about 2 to 3 feet long and about 7 bags of sugar in weight. I know, I know, that is not the sort of info that any of us would want to phone through to James Barnett our beloved Vet cause he would tell you in his own unique way he wants it, in centimetres and kilograms!

Anyway the chief suspect (the pup) had left the scene but I thought I would continue with the investigation of the “elusive pup” I wondered why a healthy pup would be out of the water so long and in such close proximity to humans. It seems that Mum and Boy with fluffy retriever were walking along the beach at about 4.30 PM Boy saw something move on mud and went to investigate, Seal pup with flippers akimbo sunning its self on a piece of old builder’s board, white in colour and probably reflecting the afternoon’s rays perfectly for our young pinniped sun worshiper. Boy said “I could see it was hot so found an old china mug in the mud and filled it with water from one of the nearby gullies and tipped it over seal, it seemed to revive the seal as it opened its eyes” (what a shock someone pouring cold water over you when you are sun bathing and having a snooze). Other people now took an interest in seal and sunbathing seal found it was surrounded. Pier and Foreshore Inspector Nigel arrived and told all but boy to disperse. Seal not have avenue of escape and did so in short busts each time he went to fill the china mug from nearby gully. Seal finally liberated its self by swimming away to join nearby concerned relatives jaut as the BDMLR seal snatch squad arrive in battered 4x4! A very narrow escape for the seal!!!

End of report!

Would like to thanks Nigel and Medics Lorene and Dian for turning out too.

Called in the report to unsympathetic Essex coordinator to say that as a clinically sick man I was returning to bed when she said “No you don’t, standby to go to Tilbury, there was a report of an adult seal caught in a corner of the dock by the “rising tide” and clearly terrified of water. O’ my at this point I thought I was hallucinating and took another antibiotic!

Bob Archell - BDMLR Director (Managing Director - Dive Master Insurance Consultants Ltd)

Essex BDMLR attend stranded porpoise

13th July

BDMLR Medic Leon Woodrow attended a neonate Harbour porpoise today at Jaywick near Clacton on Sea.

The animal was just 80cm long and had "lingual pappillae" present on its tongue. These observations showed the animal was unweaned. It also had numerous cuts and abrasions on its body as a result of being tossed about in the surf. BDMLR Director/Vet James Barnett was consulted and before the animal could be euthanansed, it sadly died.

Hooded Seal Update

10th July, 2004

Myself and Bob Pert have just returned from a 300 mile round trip to Oban (sunday 10th July) after visiting Ali Jacks hooded seal "Ingemar". This is the first time that both of us have been in close proximity to one. Absolutely gorgeous so she is. She is doing fantastically well in rehab, and tomorrow Pete and the team plan to transfer her into the Outside pool with "Lorne and Gigha" for a spell before she is returned to Ali Jack for release. Myself and Bob thank the staff at Oban Sea Life Centre for allowing us to visit her and take photographs and for showing us the new pups in the nursery (all 7 common pups) approx 2 weeks of age, as well as showing us the Loggerhead turtle minus its front flipper that was amputated following a suspected shark attack.

Its a pleasure clocking the miles to visit, knowing that we are always made welcome.

Elaine Roft
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Montrose Area Coordinator (covers Inverbervie - Easthaven)

( original report HERE )

BDMLR Karting Team Victorious !

10th July

Well ...... nearly anyway.

Tonight at Raceworld, Devon, BDMLR entered a team in a 5 team endurance event organised by Exmouth BDMLR Coordinator Tony Woodley (also RSPCA Inspector). The BDMLR team was named 'Team Fluke'. Each team had two karts on the track. Racing for BDMLR were medics ; John Burnside, Bill Slee, Andy Pittway, Dan Thorogood, Pete Marten and Tony Woodley.

The other four teams were from ; 2 x RSPCA Exeter Animal Home (Team names : 'Super Furry Animals' & 'The Whackey Racers'), 1 x RSPCA Inspectors + partners/friends (Team name : 'The Wackners') and a team from St Davids Farm & Equine Vets of Exeter (Team name : St Davids Devils).

After a qualifying period of fifteen minutes Team Fluke started the race well placed. Unfortunately we managed to get flagged a total of five times for either 'bumping' or other 'alleged' infringements. This meant being penalised five laps .... oh the injustice !

After an hour of racing the top three teams were separated by only three laps.

The result ...............

1st : Whackey Racers - 252 laps

2nd : The Wackners 251 laps

3rd : Team Fluke - 250 laps

A fantastic night was had by all and there are already plans for this to become a bi-annual event.

Many thanks to my team mates in Team Fluke and especially John and Bill of Torbridge Vet Surgery who kindly sponsored the BDMLR team.

Tony Woodley.

Pics : Tony Woodley ( click images for larger pics )

The 'red mist' descends .....

Dan Thorogood on the'edge'

Team Fluke

From left : Dan Thorogood, Bill Slee, Tony Woodley, Andy Pittway, John Burnside and Pete Marten

 

Seal pup 'relay' to Wildlife Hospital

4th July

17.20hrs : Mark Stevens (BDMLR Director) is on his way to Margate, Kent, to collect a seal pup from the Coastguard. Coastguard officers, also BDMLR Medics, have the pup waiting.

The pup will be assessed and then transferred via a relay of Medics to the RSPCA wildlife hospital at East Winch near Kings Lynn, Norfolk, before it closes later this evening.

19.30hrs : Mark has collected the 9kg Common seal pup, now named 'Gatekeeper' and is on his way to meet Faye Archell at Thurrock where the pup will be given oral fluids and then transferred up to the RSPCA.

The pup has no other obvious problems apart from being very underweight. The name comes from the wildlife hospital naming pups after insects this year ... Mark saw a 'gatekeeper' butterfly once he had collected the seal ..fate ?

Later Mark added ;

" Here are some pictures of "Gatekeeper" the seal. She has been tubed at Thurrock Services and temp checked. It was amazing the way people wanted to take her photo with their phones. Guess she has been 'fired' around the place!! she is well on her way to East Winch. Thanks to BDMLR relay team!! As ever Pete the coastguard and his mates were brilliant. Thanks chaps!! "

Mark Stevens
Director BDMLR

Pics by Mark Stevens - click on images for larger pics

 

Long Finned Pilot whale stranding at Embo, Scotland

2nd July

BDMLR HQ received a call at 12.45 today from Natalie Simmons our medic who is based near Inverness that a baby whale needed help at Embo . I spoke with Audrey Gunn (SPCA Inspector) who was already with the baby whale and could see it swimming around and around going out about 20 yards and coming in to about 3 yards from the beach. HQ contacted Ali Jack, James Barnett (BDMLR Director/vet) and Tony Patterson (vet) for help and advice and then called the medics in the surrounding area. Natalie made her way to Embo, together with Lee Cartwright, David Sutherland, Jonie & Richard Guest and Marian & Ali Jack.

It was confirmed that this was a baby Pilot whale approx 12feet in length and was very tired it was also leaning to one side, the medics went out into the water and tried to keep the whale upright and waited for Tony and Ali to arrive. Tony arrived and assessed the animal. It was believed that the animal was showing post-stranding behaviour which suggested it had already stranded elsewhere. Its reflexes were poor and it also showed some unusual breathing patterns.

Following the assessment, the 'young' pilot whale was euthanased. The carcass has been taken to Inverness for a post mortem.

Thanks to all those who attanded : BDMLR, SPCA and the Coastguard.

Photos of the incident to follow soon.

[ Report via Sue White/BDMLR HQ and further details via Audrey Gunn/SPCA ]