6th
June
Hi
all,
Well, a 'milestone' has been reached today in the 'life' of the
BDMLR Email News service. Following three new members joining today,
the service now goes out to exactly 300
of you !
The first item was sent out on the 16th November 2000 and went to
29 of you, mostly in the Exmouth (
UK ) area.
Members are not just in the UK. BDMLR News goes out to members in
the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Ireland, South Africa
.... to name the one's I actually know about. ( Some
email addresses don't include a country e.g. Hotmail, Yahoo etc
).
I hope that you still find the items interesting and sometimes enjoyable
? Don't forget that if you want to have a look through the 'news'
archive, just go to the BDMLR website at www.bdmlr.org.uk and click
on the 'Rescues' link at the top of the page.
Below are a few items for today..... including an update on those
Pilot whales being rehabilitated in the Florida Keys.
Some of you may wonder why I am sending the item, concerning dolphin
slaughter in Peru when, in the introductory email to the 'news',
I state "I do not intend sending out information on general
Cetacean and Pinniped conservation, unless it has a direct bearing
on the work of BDMLR."
Well, BDMLR supported them by donating £500 to get a video
made of the dolphin slaughter. Stefan Austermhle is also well known
to some at BDMLR HQ.
Cheers !
Tony.
Exmouth BDMLR Rescue/Training Co-ordinator
BDMLR OnLine
Dear
all,
Just had this email (below) from Peru. clearly BDMLR's support has
enabled our friends out there to increase their efforts. This one
of several emails I have had. I will pass more on as they arrive
so you can see how you have helped the cause
Best
wishes,
Mark
Stevens
Director BDMLR
Another
capture of illegal traders of dolphin meat in Callao, Peru
Wednesday, 03.06.2003
Private
investigators of the Peruvian NGO Mundo Azul and the National Police
of Peru capturedyesterday two traders of illegal dolphin meat in
Callao, Peru.
Acting
under constant threats and insult from bystanders private investigators
of the Peruvian NGO Mundo Azul for the conservation of marine and
coastal species and ecosystems and police officers from the Department
for Ecological Crimes managed yesterday to capture two men trying
to illegally sell cetacean meat and Peruvian boobies for human consumption
in a market in the harbor city of Callao, neighboring Peru's capital
Lima.
After
being for several days under surveillance of private investigators
of Mundo Azul, Rafael Zapata Sanginez, age 48, was caught with 35
kilograms of dolphin meat and Nicanor Espinoza Albino, age 56, was
caught offering 8 kilograms of dolphin meat and five slaughtered
Peruvian boobies for sale.
The
capture of dolphins and porpoises, as well as the sale and consumption
of their meat is prohibited since 1996 by Peruvian law. Boobies
are also protected by law. Mundo Azul is realizing a national campaign
for the conservation of cetaceans implementing volunteer based environmental
education campaigns in public schools, training seminars for local
leaders of fishermen associations, journalists and governmental
representatives as well a police and coastguard officers, working
in close cooperation with the department for environment of the
Peruvian coast guard and with the Department for Ecological Crimes
of the Peruvian National Police.
The
new capture in Callao brings the total number of illegal dealers
caught by Mundo Azul and the "Ecological Police" to 6.
Another success was the capture of a fishing boat attempting to
land a dead common dolphin in the fishing port of Salaverry. Up
to now a total of 107 kilograms of cetacean meat, an entire common
dolphin and five slaughtered Peruvian boobies have been seized during
the common operations. The illegal dealers and fishermen caught
during Mundo Azuls ongoing effort to rid the Peruvian coast of illegal
dolphin killings will face maximum punishment of up to three years
in jail.
Based
on the findings during Mundo Azuls investigation the organization
estimates the number of dolphins being caught for illegal consumption
in Peru at 3000 or more animals per year. "This recent case",
says Stefan Austermhle, Executive Director of Mundo Azul, "shows
again, that illegal trade in cetacean meat is not an exceptional
event in isolated provincial regions, but a common crime even within
the countries capital. One of the biggest market for this kind of
illegal products and also one of the most dangerous ones to investigate
is Callao."
"The
Department for Ecological Crimes does not have the financial resources
to act against the illegal trade of cetacean meat. We do not have
a budget for intelligence work, count only with one patrol car,
and many times run out of gasoline" resumes Carlos Herrera
Gonzales, Director of the Division for Ecological Crimes of the
National Police of Peru the problems of the Ecological Police and
adds: "It is only thanks to the intelligence provided by Mundo
Azuls investigators, as well as the transportation and financial
help provided by Mundo Azul, that we are able to capture illegal
dealers of dolphin meat. We hope that Mundo Azul will be able to
continue their active and decided support for the police and are
very committed to the cooperation with Mundo Azul."
Stefan
Austermhle ( pictured left )
Executive Director of Mundo Azul
Web-site: www.peru.com/mundoazul
HISTORY
OF KIDOGO
THE CAPE FUR SEAL PUP WITH NINE LIVES
On
the 27th of November 2002, Kidogo was found by a poacher on the
land opposite the seal island of Duiker Rock, Hout Bay. This pupping
season saw almost all the females abort and abandon their still
born pups. The island was a blood bath of dead little new-born pups.
Observation of the colony, revealed that less than 20 new-born pups
were lucky enough to make it through their first few weeks of life.
As the months passed the nursery on the island dwindled until finally
they had all died. The poacher attracted a passing by ski-boat and
asked the skipper to drop the seal back on the island. Thirty minutes
later Kidogo was back in the water, barely keeping afloat. Then
towards Sandy Bay, a few hundred metres away later that day, a person
on a paddle ski, found this tiny pup trying to follow him. He picked
the pup up and headed towards the seal island. On the way, he passed
Kidogo to a family on a rubber duck, out boating for the day. Again
he was placed on the island, but Kidogo kept coming off. At the
same time, Seal Alert SA had received a call to respond to an entangled
seal at the island, upon arriving there, the family were thrilled
to be hand this tiny pup over to Seal Alert. I abandoned the rescue
of the entangled seal and rushed back to the harbour, Kidogo immediately
bonded with me, suckling my ear on the way, crying all the time.
Luckily, IFAW's wildlife vet, Nthethe, who was also staying at my
house/seal centre, and had just returned from months abroad visiting
other seal centre's. Quickly Nthethe, swung into action. Samples
were taken of his stools and urine for testing, a pup feed formula
was quickly worked out. A few hours later, another bigger new-born
pup was brought to our centre. Seal Alert had to invest in another
porta pool and filter. The first two weeks were critical, both seal
pups, appeared to be sliding downwards, two different courses of
anti-biotic were administered. But still, both had constant diarrhea
and weakening. After two weeks the bigger pup sadly died. Kidogo,
the next day, was barely conscious, his breathing very shallow.
To keep him alive, the entire night was spent with me lying on the
floor, breathing into him as he exhaled, hour after hour, face to
snort, kidogo and I, fought on through the night. The next morning,
Kidogo, appeared stronger, more alert, breathing deeper. So commenced
the arduous task of force tube feeding Kidogo, every 4 hours. It
would take half an hour to prepare his food, half an hour to wash
up, and then two hours later start all over again, in between cleaning
up after him and his pool. After one month, Kidogo began to control
his own rehab, he suddenly refused to allow us to force feed him,
biting wildly each time we tried. Then I tried alone after 3 days,
and Kidogo calmly sat, opened his mouth and allowed the pipe to
be inserted into his stomach, if I headed in the wrong direction,
he would immediately cough. Right from the beginning Kidogo was
taught and encouraged to swim. Nethethe and I, estimated Kidogo,
must have been just a week old, with no teeth and his umbrical cord
still visible and pink. During these intensive feeding sessions,
with no full night's sleep, for the next 6 months, every four hours,
interesting observations were made. Firstly more salt added to the
formula, will harden his stools. Second, full cream mixed with sucrose,
assists greatly in increasing his weight. Third was the instincts
of Kidogo coming through, if I washed my hands, he would smell and
refuse to eat, if I put on after-shave he would run away terrified,
if I wore shorts he would run away terrified. He completely lived
by smell. Every time, he was frightened or upset, he would urinate.
Kidogo, also insisted on half a bag of salt in his pool and it had
to be changed with fresh water every day or he would sit by the
pool and cry until you did so. Kidogo took a shine to watching TV,
and loved to sit right next to the screen, following each movement
with great interest, and of course, although his species lives on
hard rocks, Kidogo would only sleep on something soft, a wetsuit,
couch or clothing. He was happiest, if I took my top off at night,
so that he had my smell, then he would fall fast asleep. Nelda,
my wife, became Kidogo playmate. I was his parent, but Nelda was
his playmate. For hours on hours they would play together. Throughout
the six months, I had to stop work, and never left Kidogo's side
for longer than 2 hours. After each feed, Kidogo insisted on climbing
all over me, and placing his wet flipper up against my cheek and
sucking on it, against my face. While I was forced to massage his
stomach. When Kidogo wanted to eat, play or needed affection, he
would gently nip you, increasing his bites, until you surrendered.
We quickly learn, Kidogo would only do what he deemed fit, if we
tried to force him against his will he would go wild and very aggressive
and impossible to handle. Kidogo, he first weighed 5kg's, and then
doubled his weight every month, and he would only allow, myself,
Nelda and Nethethe to touch him. If someone visited the centre,
he would dash away and urinate. Then after four months we were forced
to move, unfortunately I had taken my boat out the water for a complete
revamp and overhaul, in order to get it ready for Kidogo. Dr Herbert
Henrich of Seashepherd International, has kindly assisted in completing
the outstanding payments on the boat, the boat was now finally completely
paid for, the seals had their first boat. We moved to a residential
house, set-up Kidogo's seal centre, installed the porta pool etc.
On the drive to the new house, Kidogo clung to me like glue, eyes
wide open. Quickly, Kidogo settled in, at his new home. After two
months, Kidogo now six months weighed 30kg. Kidogo, has refused
to eat whole fish, and he has only accepted the tube feeding, he
will not take the bottle or bits of frozen fish. Yet, his instinct
was again observed, when playing with his rubber fish or chokka,
he always grabs the fish by the head, like he is supposed to do.
After six months, I have forgotten what dry cloths feel like, as
Kidogo kept them constantly wet, he would wait for me to change,
and then immediately climb all over me after having a quick dip
in his pool. Slowly Kidogo changed from a pup into a seal, his face
narrowed, his body grew longer and finally he has started to molt
his first coat, slowly turning from a pitch black pup, into a gleaming
shiny silver seal, the fluff and hair was every where. Slowly Kidogo
has been changing me into a seal, I cant shower before I feed him,
I cant ware aftershave and I cant wash my hands, if I want to pick
him up, feed him etc. Then two days ago at 20.30 in the evening,
my new house was virtually surrounded by 4 police officers and the
harbour master/MCM, although they were pleasant enough, surely a
simple phone call would have been appropriate, considering they
are quick to phone me to rescue a seal in the harbour. They claimed
they had received a complaint from a neighbour who claimed kidogo
is making noise. In agreement, I acknowledged that his cry at 4am,
is not exactly pleasant, as he is a wild animal and his cry is tuned
to be heard over the masses of seals on a colony, and it is very
loud. The harbour Master agreed, that if I take the seal to the
raft to continue rehab, she would be satisfied and happy. Jason
Bell of IFAW, also kindly intervened, when contacted by Shaun Boddington
of the SPCA, and all parties have agreed to continue the rehab on
the raft, sadly, I personally miss that special uniqueness Nthethe
brought the possibilities of seal rescue in SA, it was nice to have
an active professional like Nthethe involved. My biggest concern
is could Kidogo handle this forced relocation, I personally did
not want him being rehabbed in the dangerous harbour, ski-boats
could ride over him, big trawlers could catch him in their prop
wash, dogs could attack him if he came ashore, all these concerns
worried me greatly, how was I going to control a wild marine mammal
in the open sea and busy commercial harbour, with a seal that could
not defend for himself and has never been deeper than in a metre
of calm pool water. Forced to single-handedly move Kidogo, without
any suitable facility within 24-hours, I contacted Ken Evans of
Circa launches and asked if I could house Kidogo on his unused ex-seal
island launch moored in the middle of the harbour. He kindly agreed
at no fee. His kindness, has also allowed me to moor my raft next
to his boat. The raft I believe is unsuitable initially as I feared
Kidogo, would leave the raft and go and search for me, if I was
not constantly there, as other rescued pups had previously done,
and sitting on an open raft in winter for the next three months
day and night was not an option. Without much planned, early the
next morning I launched the rescue inflatable, then I drove home
and collected kidogo. With his eyes wide open, his complete trust
in me become clearly apparent, he just clung on for dear life. 6
months and two weeks later, Kidogo was about to rejoin his natural
element, the sea once again. We drove far out into the bay, Kidogo
just followed every move I made. I donned my wetsuit and slipped
in, Kidogo went frantic, but with my repeated calling, he finally
took his first plunge. He immediately shot out of the water like
a rocket, and took off in absolute fright, I raced back to the rubber
duck to follow and try and catch him, this way and that he darted.
At times he would respond to my call, but then the fear took over
and off he would dart again. Finally after 30-minutes, he responded
to my call and swam straight into my arms. After a rest, I decided
to motor far away from any approaching boat, making sure there was
miles between us, as the engine noise underwater clearly upset him
of other boats. Gently I lowered him into the water still holding
his flippers, each time, he would stay on the surface for just a
few minutes longer before trying to jump back into the boat. He
clearly was not happy on his own in the sea. Then I joined him,
and together we swam around, Kidogo sicking to me like glue, between
my feet, under my arm, holding on my back, it was one of the cutest
things I have every experienced or seen. If I dived underwater,
he would immediately followed, wrapping his tiny flippers tightly
around my leg, both down and on the way up to the surface. After
an hour in the water we were both exhausted.
Making sure I steered away from any other seals I knew from rescue.
I headed for Kidogo's new floating home. I lifted Kidogo abroad
above my head, but he was very nervous, his tiny heart pounding
away. I had to clear the back deck of loose wood, and as I picked
up a plank, Kidogo immediately got terrified and raced off down
the deck, in his fear to get away, he slipped and fell into the
water, 8 ft below, I raced across the deck for I knew the harbour
was full of returning commercial fishing boats, but Kidogo, being
the clever fellow he is, just popped up, and stayed next to the
rubber duck, like it was his mommy. Back on board, after a good
rest, I proceeded to tube feed him, very, very reluctantly he accepted
the tube, and had a good feed. But, Kidogo, was now eating 8 fish,
plus 750 ml water, every three hours, so this one feed was clearly
not enough. That night my wife and I decided to sleep by candle
light with Kidogo, it was freezing, but at least Kidogo was content,
keeping us both awake throughout the night, climbing with his wet
soft flippers all over our heads and faces. Every so often, when
the other seals on the raft next to us cried, Kidogo would call
back in response. The next day Kidogo would not eat, I was becoming
increasingly concerned. I donned my wetsuit and decided it was time
for a long swim, I anchored the rescue boat in the middle of the
big bay, and together me and kidogo headed for the beach about 800
metres away. In the waves we played, in the shallow sandy water,
with Kidogo loving every minute. All I could think to myself, is
that at forty, with my heart attack, I am getting too old for this,
exhausted, I resorted to a slow breast stroke, and kidogo position
himself under my chin as we headed back. Each sign of trouble or
a strange noise, Kidogo would jump and sit on my head, drowning
me in the process. By the time I reached the boat exhausted, I was
sure half my lungs were filled with water. We both fell fast asleep
in the boat. The whole day Kidogo would not eat. Later I left him
locked on the boat, and I headed home to prepare some more takeaway
fish meals for Kidogo. When I got back 3 hours later, Kidogo had
forced the door, and instead of escaping was just sitting on the
deck looking at the other seals on the raft below. Kidogo was clearly
hot and bothered, so I decided to introduce him for the first time
to the other seals, but I was very afraid of the reaction, for the
big bulls especially 'Baby Face' tends to bite the little ones that
do not respect him or get in his way, also baby face is also very
possessive over me. I placed Kidogo on the raft and he immediately
ran up to Oscar a middle aged male seal, nose to nose they greeted
each other, then Kidogo raced off to say hi to another tiny yearling
seal I had rescued also in December, this seal was now a year and
six months old, yet Kidogo who is only 6 months was twice his size.
It is sad to think how their growth is stunted, due to over-fishing.
Then Baby Face arrived and climbed up onto the raft, and Kidogo
took one look at this massive bull and raced immediately to my protection.
I quickly lifted him back onto the launch above, as Baby Face sniffed
this new addition to our family. Kidogo, had finally been reunited
with his own kind. Later that evening, I took Kidogo in the rubber
duck, towards the beach, where the water is quiet shallow, and in
tow, swimming with us was the little yearling. Kidogo, was jumping
from this side to that side, as he never took his eyes of this seal
for a second. I stopped the boat, and urged Kidogo to go into the
water, reluctantly he jumped in, but jumped straight back out again.
I urged him again, this time, the two greeted each other nose to
nose, before frolicking together under the boat. It soon became
clear, Kidogo was not leaving the shadow or sanctuary of the boat.
After a half an hour, the yearling headed back to the raft, and
Kidogo and I continued to play. By now I was exhausted, I had not
slept for over 40 hours, we returned to the boat, and still kidogo
refused to eat. I was now becoming very concerned, all these new
adventures must be incredibly stressful, and if this continued,
Kidogo could soon become sick. Kidogo, soon fell into a deep, clearly
weak sleep. I decided to leave him alone for the first time, and
go home to get some desperately needed sleep. The next morning,
being today, I headed for the launch at 5am in pouring rain. In
pitch black darkness I opened the cabin door, Kidogo was missing,
immediately I called and called our special seal call and also immediately
I heard Kidogo's distinctive return call, only a mother seal and
her pup knows. Calling I raced back to the rescue boat, and there
Kidogo was trying to climb abroad, with huge excited cries between
Kidogo and myself, I wondered how long he had been alone in the
water in pitch darkness, it was either from 12am or from 4am. Still
Kidogo, after safely climbing abroad, would not eat, but he was
clearly hungry, but he had past his first test of survival with
flying colours. I decided to bring him home to feed him, as clearly
this new forced relocation had upset him too much to eat. At home,
he first climbed into his pool, insisting that I clean it first,
and then he jumped straight back into his old eating pattern. Well
at least, he is feeding again. Tomorrow, we will have to see, what
other adventures are install for us, and I personally cant wait
to see his reaction, when he sees his island for the first time.
On behalf of Kidogo and his return to the wild, I would like to
thank Dr Herbert Henrich and Captain Paul Watson of Seashepherd
International, Jason Bell and our dear departed Nthethe, Ken Evans
and his wife of Circe Seal Launches, and perhaps Shaun Boddington,
the Harbour Master, The Police, for not taking Kidogo away and for
giving him a chance to return to the wild. Kidogo if he makes it
will be the only pup that was born on the island this year, that
would survive his first year, I just wonder, how many lives he has
left.
For the Seals,
Francois Hugo
Seal Alert SA
Georges
Continues His 'Tour'
Randy
( also known as 'Georges' ), the travelling dolphin, has moved one
more time. After having spent many weeks in Ouessant island (West
of France), he is now in the Glénans islands(approximatively
150 km in the south of Ouessant).
Liz Sandeman
The Marine Connection
www.marineconnection.org
Grand
Wailea Resort yesterday morning and apparently refused to return
to the ocean.
a
Bank Holiday(!) and the tricky operation of lifting the 13 ton whale
off the slipway commenced at 2000hrs. Everyone stood with their hearts
in their mouths as the deceased whale was lifted over the harbour
wall and into the awaiting grain lorry. It was such a sad sight to
see a once majestic creature hoisted unceremoniously in the lorry.
