First
Essex pup rescue of the new season
30th June
Faye Archell (Essex Coordinator) called me last
evening (30th June) at 20.45 to a seal pup on Mersea Island (28
miles from home). I picked up one of the medics from last years
course Neil Saban and off we went. On arrival the pup was in a kids
inflatable boat in a tin shed. It was small, warm, but very aware.
I aged it at about 6/7 days, we put it in the truck and headed to
meet Kieran Copeland (organised by Faye) from Hunstanton (Norfolk).
Damn fine chap drove towards us so we met up Thetford side of Kings
Lynn (Norfolk) and which saved me an hours drive. Kieran aged it
at 4/5 days and I am prepared to bow to his experience!! Any how
he took it away and hopefully I will get a call to get it for release
in a few months.
Leon Woodrow
- Essex Assistant Coordinator
Common
seal pup rescue - Richmond, London
30th June
"The seal was found by the Lock Keeper at Richmond
and after watching it for a couple of days he decided to pick up
the seal and take to the National Swan Sanctuary at their new location
at Chertsey. Staff at the sanctuary then contacted BDMLR for help.
Alan Knight asked advanced medic Trevor Weeks to drive to Chertsey
to treat the seal and then transport it to the RSPCA seal unit at
Fairlight near Hastings.
Trevor arrived to find an emaciated common seal pup which was also
dehydrated and in urgent need of fluids. Trevor with the help of
Sanctuary Manager Steve Knight (no relation to Alan!) managed to
tube the seal fluids and then placed the seal into a transportation
carrier filled with a small quantity of water to help keep the seal
cool and wet.
The seal was then driven to Fairlight near Hastings in East Sussex
for RSPCA staff to rear with another seal pup which they already
have in care."
Sue White - BDMLR HQ
Seal
pup rescue - Heacham, Norfolk
14th June
On Tuesday the 14th
June the Hunstanton Sea Life Centre received a call from a member
of the public to say that a very small seal was on the beach at
Heacham a few miles away.
Kieran Copeland assisted by Duane Kirk drove along the beach finding
the pup at Heacham's South beach not far from the car park access.
The pup, a new born Common was only a few hours old as the umbilicus
was still present. Unfortunately mum was nowhere to be seen so the
decision was made to take the animal into the Sea Life Centre
The cheerful little chap weighed just over 12kg, had a normal temperature
and generally seemed bright and was keen to try suckling the staff's
welly boots.
The reasons why this pup became separated from his mother are unclear,
could it be related to the fact that Hunstanton is hosting the World
Water Skiing Championships this week? The heavy drone of powerboat
engines is clearly audible several miles inland and the implications
of the disturbance to the local marine mammal population doesn't
appear to have been considered by the local council at all. BDMLR
medics in the area will be watching out for further pups or cetacean
strandings over the coming week. Hopefully there will be none but
to me it seems a great shame that another healthy animal will be
spending the first few months of its life requiring care when it
should be have been free in the wild.
Lucie Kirk
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
REPORT ON
CETACEAN IN MEVAGISSY HARBOUR, SUNDAY 12TH JUNE
I was contacted at about 1pm by Cornwall Wildlife
Trust Strandings Coordinator Jan Loveridge, who had received a call
from a resident of Mevagissey about a small dolphin in the inner
harbour at Mevagissey, SE Cornwall. I contacted Dave Jarvis SW Cornwall
Coordinator who kindly offered to bring the ambulance & kit
to Mevagissey. I loaded my medic box, dry suit etc & left home
near Looe about 10 minutes later & arrived in Mevagissey about
2pm. I had to negotiate the narrow streets full of tourists to get
to the harbour carpark. The attendant there was very helpful &
said he thought it had successfully left the harbour. He remarked
it seemed to have come in with the fishing boats & been checking
them out. I had a walk around both the inner & outer harbours,
but could see no cetaceans. The attendant described the animal as
about 1 meter long, swimming well & looking happy. He was unable
to give any more detailed description so we were unable to identify
the species. The size suggests it was a juvenile dolphin or perhaps
a Harbour Porpoise.
Being unable to get a signal on my phone I
had to drive to St Austell before I could phone Dave with my report,
& also contact Jan Loveridge to ask her to call off any medics
she had contacted.
I would like to thank Carol Jackson of Mevagissey
who made the initial call to Jan Loveridge. I was also like to thank
Jan for organising calls to Medics & to thank those Medics who
stood by in case they were needed. Also thanks especially to Dave
& Tim for setting off so promptly with the ambulance.
Although no dolphin was found, as new Coordinator
for SE Cornwall. I found this a very useful exercise & good
practice. This time I remembered to take some food and drink with
me, which I failed to do when I attended the Gwithian Striped Dolphin
stranding- it’s as important for Medics to avoid dehydration
as well as hypothermia !
Darryl Thorpe,
SE Cornwall Coordinator BDMLR.
DIVE
FOR DEBRIS
20th Anniversary of International Cleanup Day
September 17th is
the 20th Anniversary of International Cleanup Day. Once again, SCUBA
divers around the world will join in and contribute to make this
year’s cleanup the largest effort yet, by adding underwater
cleanups to beach events. Each year Project AWARE Foundation co-ordinates
the underwater portion of International Cleanup Day , in co-operation
with the Ocean Conservancy , recognising that divers are a vital
part of the effort to remove debris and contribute to solve marine
litter issues. Once again, Project AWARE Foundation is calling all
SCUBA divers to take action and participate in river, lake, beach
and underwater cleanups in their local area.
This means that as
summer draws to a close, thousands of dedicated SCUBA divers will
be embarking on dives in search of something they hope they won’t
find – rubbish. Unfortunately, last year, they did: cigarette
butts, glass and plastic bottles, food wrappers and drink cans among
other things – it certainly builds up. Litter is a growing
problem in the oceans and on beaches around the world, largely resulting
from our increasing use of non-biodegradable packaging and irresponsible
waste disposal. Litter is not just a surface problem. Rubbish from
oil drums and drink cans to plastic bottles and discarded fishing
gear also accumulates on the seabed. The disposal of litter at sea,
in rivers or on beaches has wide ranging impacts. “As a diver,
you see first hand the devastating effects litter can have underwater.
Marine litter contaminates habitat and harms aquatic life,”
states Dr. Drew Richardson, Chairman, Project AWARE Foundation.
“Divers have the training and skills necessary to remove much
of the debris found below the surface. The data they collect during
International Cleanup Day, helps complete the overall picture of
debris sources in an effort to resolve these issues.”
Project AWARE hopes this year’s cleanup events will raise
awareness of the needless and irresponsible dumping of debris that
is still prevalent in many areas and hopes to encourage local communities
to care for their fragile aquatic environments. The volunteers will
be recording and photographing the rubbish they collect and this
information will be used to produce a worldwide, annual report of
the results as well as campaign against the sources of marine litter.
How to take
part?
You can join the 20th Anniversary celebration by organising your
own beach and / or underwater clean up or by volunteering at someone
else’s. Everyone wishing to organise an event must register
and complete the sign up available from www.projectaware.org.
Alternatively you can contact Project AWARE Foundation (International)
at info@projectaware.org.uk.
If you want to take part as a volunteer or want to join forces with
another cleanup co-ordinator, please search the database of cleanup
locations on the Volunteer Network section of www.projectaware.org
to find an International Cleanup Day event near you.
Whether you are able
to participate or not, your financial support drives every ocean-saving
action we take at the Project AWARE Foundation. Please, help us
make this year’s International Cleanup Day a special time
to celebrate our aquatic world … and to help make sure it
stays clean, wild and healthy for generations to come. Please go
to http://www.justgiving.com/projectaware/donate/
and be as generous as you possibly can. During 2004’s cleanup
events, 300,000 people in 88 countries volunteered to remove nearly
eight million pounds of debris. Our oceans are on the verge of collapse
and your support is much needed. Don’t miss out on this unique
opportunity. Take part in one of the largest volunteer environmental
effort on behalf the aquatic world and / or support Project AWARE
Foundation’s efforts to make our underwater world a better
one for us today and for future generations.
International
Day of Protest Against the Japanese Dolphin Slaughter
THE DATE IS SET FOR OCTOBER 8th. 2005
Would you and your members like to stop the
largest slaughter of dolphins in the world?
We can, believe it or not.
More than 20,000 dolphins are killed in Japan
annually. Some are harpooned at sea, while others are killed in
the so-called drive-fisheries; a method in which entire pods of
dolphins are driven ashore and butchered in the most brutal way
imaginable.
WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT: We can have 20,000
(or more) concerned citizens in front of the Japanese embassies
in several cities worldwide protest the massacre. We should be able
to have one person turn up to protest for every dolphin that will
be slaughtered in Japan during the next killing season.
The date of the event is set for October 8th,
2005. (We were thinking about doing it on October 1st. That's when
the killing season begins in Taiji. However, World Farm Animal Day
is October 2nd, and we don't want to interfere with this important
event.)
How can we get 20,000 people to participate?
The way to pull this off is to EDUCATE OUR
MEMBERS WHO WANT TO DO MORE THAN JUST SEND US MONEY AND WRITE A
LETTER.
Our members hold the key to the success of
this historic event. Let's take London and Washington DC, for example.
There are more than a million members of various animal protection
organizations in these two cities alone. If only a small percentage
of them show up, we have a very good chance at shutting down the
Japanese drive fisheries once and for all. The Japanese government
will have a hard time doing public relations damage control with
this kind of media coverage. They are spending a great deal of money
on attracting tourists to Japan. This protest would be a disaster
to that effort.
Remember, the problem is in Taiji, but the
solution is in Tokyo. We want to send the message to the decision
makers in Tokyo that the brutal dolphin slaughter is not acceptable
to the rest of the world and that the dolphin slaughter (and related
captures) must be abolished immediately. In other words, we need
to stop the permitting process. The dolphin hunters already told
us that if they didn't get a permit from Tokyo, they would stop
the killing immediately.
To pull this off, we need TENS OF THOUSANDS
of non- violent, peaceful protesters in front of Japanese embassies
around the world. We need the MEMBERSHIP of all our various groups
to show up, not just a few token staff members and volunteers. We
have until September to educate our members as to why it's so important
for them to show up and protest the largest slaughter of dolphins
in the world.
WE CAN DO THIS.
Many thanks. Ric
O’Barry (One Voice)
Margaux Dodds- Director & Co-founder
email: margaux@marineconnection.org
More
details including an online petition - CLICK
HERE
Striped
dolphin rescue attempt at Gwithian, Cornwall.
3rd June
[ click images for
larger size ]
Coordinator Tim Bain
received a call from the local council at midday today, reporting
a live stranded dolphin at Gwithian, Hayle. Tim called myself, as
Coordinator Dave Jarvis was away, to attend immediately. Quickly
grabbing some basic equipment, I drove the few minutes to Gwithian.
I liased with the nearby lifeguards, who pointed out the stranding
area from the cliff top, a few hundred yards back down the beach
towards Hayle. Hitching a ride on their quad bike, we raced through
the rain down the beach to the site. During this time, Dave, who
was up-country, and Sue White at Head Office had started to call
out Medics to the scene.
On arrival, the dolphin
could be seen swimming in the water amongst the waves. The lifeguards
there informed me that it was at least 
the
fifth time that they had refloated the dolphin, and it had restranded
each time. I advised them that if the dolphin restranded again,
to bring it up on to the beach for a thorough assessment. In due
course, the dolphin began to head back to the shore, and I was surprised
to note that it was in fact a striped dolphin rather than the common
dolphin that we get stranded so often. It was not listing in the
water, but appeared to be having trouble getting past the waves.
Once stranded, we used the body board attachment from the lifeguard’s
jet ski to carry the dolphin further up the beach away from the
rapidly approaching tide. Once in a safe position, we set the dolphin
down and substituted the board for a towel, as the lifeguards needed
the board in case they needed to carry out any rescues themselves.
We began timing the breathing rate of the animal, which was averaging
between 6-10 breaths per minute (bpm) – stressed. To decrease
stress, we dug holes for the pectoral fins to fit comfortably. However,
the dolphin continued to thrash about, requiring three member of
the public to help hold it upright on my request and under my supervision
while I started to assess it’s condition. It appeared to be
in moderate condition with superficial bleeding injuries to the
dorsal fin, tail flukes and underside of the tail stock.
After just over half an hour, the animal’s
stress slowly decreased, stabilising at around 6-8bpm, increasing
slightly when we were forced to move it further away from the tide.
I became also concerned that the location we were in would mean
we would be cut off from any access except by sea as the sea moved
closer to high tide. I decided to await the arrival of more Medics
before attempting to move the dolphin a couple of hundred yards
across the beach to the bottom of the steps to the lifeguard hut
at Peter’s Point on the edge of Upton Towans. Shortly, Coordinator
Tim Bain and Medics Sue Sayer and Mick Skelly arrived within a few
minutes of each other, and between us we carried the dolphin along
the beach to the much safer and suitable location. As luck would
have it, the rain had stopped by now, and the sky across the bay
was beginning to brighten up considerably.
After further stabilisation,
we were joined by Medics Amanda Forman, Jo Hurley and Phil Jarvis.
Amanda and Jo now swapped with 
myself
and Sue, helping to care for the animal with Mick and Tim. Medics
Caroline Curtis and Gary Hawkins were en route to the rescue trailer
at Redruth, while experienced veterinary nurses Jenny and Claire
from BDMLR consultant vet Paul Riley’s surgery were also on
their way. With Medics Tamara Cooper, Chris Ellis (who both work
at the National Seal Sanctuary) June Harden and Jane Bennett just
arriving, Jo, Amanda and myself went back to the car park to collect
more equipment and to commandeer some wind breaks from the nearby
beach shop, as there was a breeze that was beginning to dry out
the dolphin’s skin despite dousing with water. The sun was
also now threatening put in an appearance. The windbreaks were erected
around the dolphin to keep it out of the sun and wind, and more
buckets arrived, which were distributed amongst the remaining Medics
and some members of the public that were watching to fetch water.
Claire and Jenny had now arrived. Sue took on the role of beachmaster
– keeping the public informed of what was happening and advising
and updating Medics of the situation.
By now it was 2pm, and the breathing rate refused
to decrease below 6bpm. To keep the animal more comfortable until
the dolphin pontoons arrived, we rolled up a tarpaulin and 5 Medics
and the two vet nurses entered the still rising tide and supported
it in shallow water to help re-establish equilibrium. The dolphin
continued to thrash around, but the breathing rate did not drop.
The dolphin pontoons arrived with Caroline a short while later,
followed by Medic Rachael Vine (who also works at the National Seal
Sanctuary) and South East Cornwall Coordinator and veterinary surgeon
Darryl Thorpe. We moved the dolphin back to the water’s edge
to attach the pontoons.
Once set up, Tim, Phil, Caroline, Chris, Tamara,
June, Jenny, Claire and myself started the reflotation attempt.
In consultation with Director and consultant veterinarian James
Barnett, it had been decided that due to the number of previous
refloat attempts made by the lifeguards, that only one attempt would
be made now; otherwise we would be left with no other option but
to euthanase. After half an hour of trying to fight our way past
the breakers, the dolphin appeared to be regaining its strength,
although it had never really stopped thrashing its tail, but its
breathing rate had increased, eventually levelling out to around
15bpm. We removed the pontoons and held the dolphin before letting
it go. The rest was now up to the dolphin.
For the next half
hour, we kept up a human chain between the dolphin and the beach
as it continued to swim back and forth parallel to 
the
shore, occasionally moving further out. Unfortunately, trying to
swim through the waves was taking its toll, and the dolphin could
be seen beginning to struggle and lift its head high out of the
water. Eventually it was washed into a submerged rock, and had to
be subdued by Darryl, Tamara and Chris. The pontoons were reattached
and option of euthanasia had to be taken. Claire, Jenny and Phil
returned to the car park to bring back the appropriate equipment.
Darryl, Tim, Chris, Tamara, Caroline and Rachael now held the dolphin
in knee-high water to try to keep it calm and comfortable until
they returned.
Several minutes later, they returned, and the
dolphin was carried back up the beach. The windbreaks were erected
around it for privacy while Jenny and Claire prepared and administered
the lethal injection, supported by Caroline, Tim, Phil and Tamara.
Caroline and myself liased with the Cornwall Wildlife Trust Strandings
Coordinator Jan Loveridge about arrangements for Post Mortem and
storage over the weekend. Our final task was to pack up the equipment,
and carry the 2.07m long male dolphin several hundred yards back
to the car park, where it was taken by Caroline for storage.
I would like to thank the lifeguards and members
of the public who helped with this event, whom were invaluable to
me in the initial 30 minutes of my arrival until more Medics were
on the scene.
I would also like to thank and congratulate Sue White at Head Office
and all Medics involved in this incident. Although this was not
the outcome we were hoping for, I was very pleased with the effort,
teamwork and dedication that everybody put in. This was a difficult
and strenuous rescue attempt and I am proud of you all.
Medic Dan
Jarvis
BDMLR West Cornwall
(Newquay - Land’s End - St Austell)
It was gratifying and most encouraging to note that the way the
team operated in such a professional manner given the location of
the incident, i.e: a public beach, and the integration with other
agencies involved such as Penwith District Council, the National
Seal Sanctuary and Cornwall Wildlife Trust. I would like to personally
thank all the Medics who were involved at the incident, together
with the others who although aware of the incident, were unable
to attend due to work commitments, but were kept informed of the
ongoing situation with a view to attending if required later in
the day.
Coordinator
Dave Jarvis
BDMLR West Cornwall
(Newquay – Land’s End – St Austell)
Isle
of Wight - Striped dolphin stranding
2nd June
At present
we have Marine Mammal Medics with a Striped Dolphin on a beach on
the Isle of Wight. Medics are taking it in turns to 
keep
the Dolphin afloat in two feet of water to enable them the Dolphin
gain its stability. Dave Evans the Isle of Wight Co-ordinator is
in touch with James Barnett BDMLR Veterinary Director and also James
Brett the Lincoln Co-Ordinator who had a similar stranding a few
years ago. James Brett and his team kept the Dolphin upright in
the water for 6 hours until it regained its equilibrium.
Update
: 18.30hrs
After
three attempted refloats by the public, a period of assessment by
BDMLR Medics and a vet who has been liasing with James Barnett over
the phone, a refloat and a final stranding ... the dolphin has been
euthanased. It appeared in relatively good body condition and a
post mortem will be very interesting.
Sue
White - BDMLR HQ
Pilot
whale in Scottish Loch causing concern
2nd June
What
appears to be a Long Finned Pilot whale has been 'hanging' around
in Loch Tarbert, Kintyre for the past few weeks.
BDMLR
volunteers are keeping any eye on it's activities. This is unusual
behaviour for a normally very social species.
BDMLR
HQ
|
click pics
for larger size |
|
|
Australia
- Mass Stranding heading towards a refloat
2nd June
James Barnett (BDMLR
Veterinary Director) has been in contact with a vet on the west
coast of Australia who is involved in a mass stranding of False
Killer whales.
Click
HERE to read the latest
news report
Click
HERE
for a map of the area
Skydive
a great success and news of a fantastic donation !
29th
May
The
BDMLR team all had the thrill of a lifetime by skydiving (tandem
with an instructor) from 12,000ft on Sunday! We all survived unharmed
and have raised approx £2000 for the SW Boat
fund. Sue Archell of Dive
Master Insurance attended to see Faye safely down and to present
a cheque from DM for £7000 !
Together
these amounts now confirm that the SW rescue boat is a reality !
Thankyou
to Divemaster
for its wonderful generosity .... again
There
are images in the Image Library and more will be uploaded to the
site over the next few days .... and ... if you sponsored us
... time to pay up !
Tony
Woodley - BDMLR Director/BDMLR OnLine
