BDMLR
Seal Unit Pup update as of : 27/6/07
Angus:
Male Harbour seal
Arrived 17/6/07
Found Loch Melfort on the Isle of Skye. Angus was spotted struggling
in the water by canoeist from an outdoor education centre. He was
lifted onto a canoe and taken to shore from where he was then driven
to Fort William and collected by the SSPCA by Gill from Inverness.
Gill then passed Angus onto myself at my home in Garve for the short
drive to the Seal Hospital in Ullapool. The first arrival in the
newly setup unit.
Condition:
Premature pup estimated to only be between 24 and 48 hours old,
still covered with thick leguno coat, no teeth. Weighing in at a
very light (approx) 5.6kg his body condition was not too bad he
is just a tiny premature pup. After his initial 3 feeds being hydration
fluid he then moved onto Multi Milk mixed with salmon oil.He spent
his first week getting fed every 4 hours , 5 x daily and now its
only 4 x daily. At current time Angus is progressing well and has
been putting on the weight and is now 7.7kg and like the rest of
the pups seems to be a happy, easy going pup. He is quite active
and likes interaction when cleaning and feeding.
Seoras:
Gaelic for George
Male Harbour Seal
Arrived 20/6/07
Found on the Isle of Skye, Seoras was originally picked up by a
fisherman who spotted the pup struggling about a mile offshore and
was trying to get onto his boat. He scooped the pup out of the water
and returned home to call the SSPCA who collected the pup the following
day. This was done by a local inspector Maree Mcnab who actually
came to the Medic course in Inverness a week later. At the time
we were still setting the unit up and awaiting electricity (we still
are at this time) so it was arranged for the pup to go to Mairi
Mcleod at Pierce and oConner vet surgery on Skye to hold until we
could get it some place to go. Seoras was another premature pup
who weighed only 5.5kg estimated to be around three days old. In
the end it came to ourselves after a fortnight with Mairi being
cared for round the clock and on arrival at the hospital he weighed
a huge 9.3kg. Mairi is experienced with rehab and has experience
of seals both in the UK and Europe and I have dealt with Mairi on
numerous occasions and new the pup was in perfect, loving hands.
Seoras is just like his brothers in that he seems happy with his
new surroundings and plays with the small ball he came with from
the vets. This is important for his stimulation when spending time
alone in the pens. He will later today be doubled up with Angus
and this should be very beneficial for their development.
Leo:
Male Harbour Seal
Arrived 20/6/07
Rescued Beauly near Inverness
Loe was spotted lying on the shore looking thin and sorry for himself
by a passing cyclist. Inverness coordinator Natalie Simmons called
myself and James Barnett for advice after medic Linda ..... Responded
and observed the pup. Linda sent several photographs by mobile phone
which made the decision easier, that we should lift. Linda observed
in the morning then checked at lunchtime, always looking for signs
of the mother who never returned, to finally lift the pup around
5pm. Linda then drove the pup to Garve for myself to take to the
Hospital for its full assessment. Leo looked quite thin being around
5 days old weighing in at 7.7kg ( the first pup on our newly arrived
scales) Thin, dehydrated and looking a bit sad for himself he soon
perked up and is now settling into his feed routine. He is an easy
going pup and weight wise is 8.4kg.
Rose:
Female harbour seal
Arrived 26/6/07
Rose only arrived last night from SSPCA Inverness. She was picked
up near North Kessock after being observed both onland and in the
water. Rose is around 3 to 4 days old is very thin. Her weight is
7.4 kg and like our other pups there are no obvious physical injuries.
Currently being given Hydration fluid. She is another easy going,
easy to handle pup.
Unit
update:
The unit is working well and the required work is taking shape,
this was boosted by the excellent work and the generous donation
of time and labour by Richard, Davey and Jim from Thurso. We will
hopefully have electricity connected in the next week but in the
meantime have a extension lead from Beatrices house. While this
is inconvenient to say the least we can still connect heat lamps
and I can boil the kettle to heat the milk. The milk is Disappearing
at a rapid rate, this is due to having so many young/premature pups
who require longer on the milk as the need the full 3 weeks. We
may also need to put out an appeal to medics in the surrounding
area for towels, as these to are in short supply. All in all we
are doing what we set out to do. And while some things are still
to be sorted and routines, sampling, training need to be developed
and sorted the basic purpose of getting these pups to somewhere
they can be looked after rather than left on the beach is being
achieved. While its taken a lot of planning, hard work, dedication
and a fair bit of faith BDMLR can so far, I believe, see the effort
rewarded when seeing these pups getting healthy and growing.
It
is still early days for these pups especially the premature ones
as has been seen in the past they can be
knocked down quickly by an infection or such mainly through being
separated from their mother at such an early age. But so far so
good, as this is certainly a group of fattening contented pups.
They get my seal of approval!!!!!!!!!!
Jamie Dyer
BDMLR Seal Unit Manager/NW Highland Coordinator
PRESS
RELEASE
27th June 2007
BDMLR prepares as deadly seal virus confirmed
in Europe
Following the confirmation
that PDV (Phocine Distemper Virus) [1] has been reported in Denmark
[2], BDMLR [3] has started to make contingency plans for the likely
arrival of the virus in the UK seal colonies as it has done in the
past outbreaks in 1988 and 2002.
BDMLR has a ‘handling
protocol’ in place, which was drawn up during the last outbreak
of PDV in 2002.
BDMLR has already made contact with a number of other organisations
[4] which have previously been involved with the response and challenges
required to deal with the results of the effects of the virus.
Tony Woodley, BDMLR’s
national press officer, said “British Divers Marine Life Rescue
was formed during the first outbreak of this virus in 1988 and in
2002 our volunteers around the UK again helped the Common seals
affected. Our veterinary advisers confirm that on both these previous
occasions the virus took a number of weeks to reach the UK shores
from the rest of Europe.”
“BDMLR has contingency
plans in place and we have briefed our network of volunteers and
have already started to communicate with other organisations within
the M.A.R.C. [5] to ensure we are ready for when the virus reaches
the UK”, continued Tony.
BDMLRs Veterinary
Coordinator, James Barnett BSc BVSc MRCVS, said “The first
signs are likely to be an increased number of dead seals turning
up on our coastline. Sick animals will then start to appear but
the difficulty here is that the main sign is pneumonia, which as
we know is a common finding in seals even without PDV around. However,
even though older adults may be immune, it is likely that, unlike
the normal pattern, we will see increased numbers of perhaps young
adults and subadults wilth severe respiratory signs. Other signs
include nervous signs and problems with increased buoyancy and inability
to dive, associated with escape of air from the badly damaged lungs
out of the chest and under the skin, forming a 'bubble' like hump
over the shoulders.
The highest levels of mortality are likely to occur on the east
coast, particularly The Wash”.
Mr Barnett continued,
“It is from the island of Anholt (Denmark) that the two previous
outbreaks in 1988 and 2002 originated. This outbreak has come more
quickly after the last outbreak than previously. Final confirmation
that PDV is the cause of the deaths of the seals in Denmark has
arrived today. The general consensus of experts at the ZSL [6] and
those at SMRU [7] is that the scale of mortality is likely to be
less this time round in the UK. This is because there will still
be immunity in older animals that were alive at the time of the
last outbreak in 2002 and also the initial outbreak is a little
later this time round and therefore less likely to arrive in the
UK during the pupping season and subsequent moult when many common
seals are in close proximity (usually over by end of August), but
I think it is highly likely it will get here at some point.”
The virus does not
affect humans but members of the public are advised to keep dogs
away from seals.
PDF version of Press
Statement - HERE
- ENDS -
For further information,
including images of previous PDV outbreaks, please contact Tony
Woodley on 07723 054 020 or tony@bdmlr.org.uk
Editors Notes
[1] Phocine Distemper
Virus : The virus causes pneumonia and nervous system damage, including
convulsions. Pregnant seals abort their pups. Other symptoms include
listlessness and runny eyes and nose.
[2] Danish report
– Click HERE
[3] British Divers
Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) is proud of the fact that it is an entirely
voluntary organisation (registered charity: 803438).
BDMLR was formed by
a group of divers in 1988 in response to the deaths of a large number
of seals, caused by PDV, in the Wash area of East Anglia. It is
now a committed 24 hr rescue service. BDMLR now train over 300 Marine
Mammal Medics a year and have 20 whale rescue pontoons located at
strategic points throughout the UK waiting to help stranded whales
and dolphins. There are over 3000 volunteers nation-wide.
For more information visit www.bdmlr.org.uk
[4] RSPCA, SSPCA, IFAW
[5] M.A.R.C. –
Marine Animal Rescue Coalition
[6] Zoological Society
of London
[7] Sea Mammal Research
Unit
PRESS STATEMENT
25th June 2007
Deadly seal virus returns to Europe
Following the reports that PDV (Phocine
Distemper Virus) [1] has been reported in Denmark [2], BDMLR [3]
has started to make contingency plans should the virus reach the
UK seal colonies as it has done in the past outbreaks in 1988 and
2002.
BDMLR has a ‘handling protocol’
in place, which was drawn up during the last outbreak of PDV in
2002.
BDMLR has already made contact with a number of
other organisations [4] which have previously been involved with
the response and challenges required to deal with the results of
the effects of the virus.
Tony Woodley, BDMLR’s national press officer,
said “British Divers Marine Life Rescue was formed during
the first outbreak of this virus in 1988 and in 2002 our volunteers
around the UK again helped the Common seals affected. Our veterinary
advisers confirm that on both these previous occasions the virus
took a number of weeks to reach the UK shores from the rest of Europe.”
“BDMLR has contingency plans in place and
we will be briefing our network of volunteers and have already started
to communicate with other organisations within the M.A.R.C. [5]
to ensure we are ready for when the virus reaches the UK”,
continued Tony.
The virus does not affect humans but
members of the public are advised to keep dogs away from seals.
-ends-
PDF version of Press
Statement - HERE
[1] Phocine Distemper Virus : The virus
causes pneumonia and nervous system damage, including convulsions.
Pregnant seals abort their pups. Other symptoms include listlessness
and runny eyes and nose.
[2] Danish report – Click HERE
[3] British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) is
proud of the fact that it is an entirely voluntary organisation
(registered charity: 803438).
BDMLR was formed by a group of divers in 1988 in
response to the deaths of a large number of seals, caused by PDV,
in the Wash area of East Anglia. It is now a committed 24 hr rescue
service. BDMLR now train over 300 Marine Mammal Medics a year and
have 20 whale rescue pontoons located at strategic points throughout
the UK waiting to help stranded whales and dolphins. There are over
3000 volunteers nation-wide.
[4] RSPCA, SSPCA, IFAW
[5] M.A.R.C. – Marine Animal Rescue Coalition
BDMLR
Highland Seal Hospital gets a facelift
22nd
June
I
have attached a couple of pictures showing the cladding going onto
the unit. (cladding required under planning regulations)
Davey
and Richard have really been amazing with this as they along with
Jim got half of the main sections done yesterday. We were working
till after 9pm and this was after these guys drove down from Thurso
at 6am. Jim from Thurso also came along for the afternoon and even
Heather made a urgent trip to Inverness to get some post holders
and some screws before joining us for lunch.
Davey
and Richard then decided they should stay the night and try to get
the other half finished off, so I would only have the smaller finishing
off to do. Pretty damn good of them I think. I took them out to
the indian for dinner, we only just made it as I had to get the
pups back in the unit and feed. These guys really took a weight
off my mind by doing this as with three pups in now getting fed
every 4 hours from 9am through to 1am and power not looking like
being connected till next week means everything takes longer and
I dont know where I would have found the time.
So
a big Thank You to the lads.
Jamie Dyer
- BDMLR Seal Unit Manager/NW Highland Coordinator
click
on images to enlarge - copyright BDMLR |
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Help
BDMLR rescue and return seals to the wild by making a donation -
click HERE
Harbour
porpoise stranding - Warkworth, Northumberland
21st June
Called
out at around midday Thursday 21st June after reports of neonate
porpoise stranded on Warkworth Beach, Northumberland. Ginny Swaile
(also BDMLR MMM and Environment Agency Marine Team) and I gathered
equipment and headed off to Warkworth. Upon arrival saw that porpoise
was not neonate (about 1.2m long). Vets (Jane Barwick-Nesbit &
Mr Prescott) and assessed as fit and good weight. Old wound on side
was treated and antibiotics administered by vet. Member of the public
had attempted refloat but animal was still looking active so decided
to go for refloat again from the beach this time using tarpaulin
as a support. This was abandoned after both medics and porpoise
struggled in fairly heavy surf. Amble RNLI Inshore Lifeboat was
called out to allow refloat from a boat to be attempted. Porpoise
put on a stretcher and placed in the rib and as gently as possible
the boat proceeded through the surf to calmer waters. About 1/2
mile out to sea the engine was turned off and the stretcher was
lowered into the water and was supported by two lifeboat men. We
allowed the porpoise to rest for about 20 minutes partially submerged
until its breathing calmed down and it showed signs of wanting to
move. Submerging the stretcher completely allowed the porpoise to
swim off (at quite a speed!). We observed for a few minutes and
saw nothing of the porpoise so headed back to the beach and returned
to Newcastle.
I
had a phone call in the early evening reporting that the porpoise
had been washed ashore dead and was found by one of the lifeboat
men whilst walking his dog.
Reports
of 2 other dead porpoises from earlier in the week prompted us to
query the cause of death. The porpoise was recovered and is presently
being stored at the Environment Agency offices in Newcastle awaiting
collection for post-mortem. Obviously a disappointing outcome but
also encouraging example of many agencies working together, thanks
to the RNLI, HM Coastguard, Environment Agency, vets and of course
BDMLR.
Jill McCormick
- BDMLR MMM
click
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BDMLR
highland Seal Hospital first arrival
17th June
The
first pup to arrive at the unit is Angus a premature common seal
pup. He came in on 17th at 11pm from Loch Moidart on the Isle of
Skye. A group of school kids were out kayaking as part of an out-door
adventure trip.They spotted the pup struggling to swim out on the
loch, when no one could see any signs of a mothers presence the
put the pup in a canoe and brought him to shore. He was clearly
struggling to swim and in distress. Angus then travelled with the
children on the school bus to Fort William from there he was brought
to us by SSPCA inspector Gill. He spent a totol of 6 1/2 hours in
transit. The assesment showed that he weighed in at 5.6kg, was approx
1 day old as he had a fresh umbilicus. Angus has a very long and
fluffy coat indicating that he was born premature. (Common seals
normally shed their 'white' coat before they are born)
He
was very flat but did perk up quickly. Angus also has some small
grazes on his front flippers and a small graze on his underside
so he has been on land at some point. Angus is feeding 5 times a
day currently as he is so young. He is bright and alert and often
very vocal. Angus is as cute as he looks and very gentle.
Jamie Dyer
- BDMLR Seal Unit Manager/NW Highland Coordinator
'Angus'
at the seal unit - images copyright BDMLR |
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BDMLR Boot-A-Thon
2007 !
Michelle Spillane
Smith (Midlands Regional Co-ordinator) and myself Jenny Haley (Assistant
Co-ordinator, Cornwall) are hoping to organise a country wide car
boot sale to raise some much needed funds. The event will be called
'BDMLR BOOT-A-THON!' and we need all the help we can get from other
medics and coordinators.
The idea is that on
the weekend of the 4th -5th August (date depending on what day the
boot sale in your area is), medics hold a car boot sale and all
monies raised are donated to BDMLR. You can hold as many sales as
you like but not at the same site, as that would be direct competition!
If medics in your area are willing to hold a boot sale on that day
they should let their coordinator know. Anyone that cannot hold
a sale themselves but have good quality items to sell could pass
their items to a medic that will be holding a sale.
Can coordinators please
keep a list of people willing to hold a sale/help and let us know.
It may be fun to have a competition - which area can hold the most
sales and raise the most money!
Thank you for your help.
Michelle Spillane Smith MMM
& Jenny Haley MMM
Atlantic
White Sided dolphins - Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
11th June
Local
residents in the area first became aware of the five Atlantic White
Sided dolphins in Sandwick Bay, on the outskirts of Stornoway, on
Sunday evening. On finding the dolphins stranded on Monday morning
they tried to help the dolphins themselves before alerting the Coastguard,
who alerted us and the vet. At least one of the dolphins was dragged
back in to the water by hand before the Coastguard, vet and medic
Jeanette arrived. The Coastguard managed to herd three of the dolphins
back out to sea but one male and one female were in such poor condition
it was felt there was no other choice but for the vet to humanely
euthanase them. Afterwards, a local witness pointed out a tear at
the join of the male's left pectoral fin which they said happened
as they tried to drag him back to safety, they said it bled profusely.
A big thank you to everybody involved in the rescue.
Sandy
MacDonald - BDMLR Medic
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on images to enlarge
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Turtle
rescued by BDMLR Medics ready for return to Gulf of Mexico
8th
June 2007
A
rare Kemps Ridley turtle rescued by a BDMLR Medic from the North
devon coast in January, is now ready for release after being rehabilitated
at Weymouth SeaLife Park.
Sarah
Leaney, a biologist at Weymouth' said , "Willy is doing very
well, we have been feeding him/her up and getting her strength up
ready for the off, she now weighs 4kg so she is being very well
loved! At the moment we are still battling with BA, Virgin and American
Airlines for a suitable flight over to the states for her, but aside
from that we are all ready to release her. She has been checked
several times by the vet and is fit to go, so its all good news
really. I have attached (below) some photos of her and Holly (a
rehabilitated Loggerhead turtle) that were taken for a guide to
identifying turtles done by the Marine Conservation Society.
Tony
Woodley - BDMLR OnLine Editor
Original January 07 report
- HERE
