Mystery as odd 'boulders' wash up on beach that could pose a danger to dogs

28 September 2023 , 10:17

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Boulder-sized chunks of palm oil have been washing up on the main beach at Trearddur Bay in Wales (Image: Paul Dean)

Large boulders have washed up on a British beach, leaving local residents and dog owners concerned as the substance can be dangerous.

Two large chunks of palm oil were removed by volunteers from Trearddur Bay's foreshore, along the north-west coast of Anglesey in Wales, this week, and surfers reported more floating on the sea. The first berg was too large to lift, volunteers said, and filled 12 bin bags when broken up and cleared.

Some palm oil debris was found yesterday morning and locals fear Storm Agnes could have pushed even more palm oil to the beach area. Dog owners in the area are now on high alert as palm oil, which has a sickly-sweet smell, is irresistible to dogs and can cause illness.

The palm oil bergs were collected by residents for disposal by Anglesey Council (Paul Dean)

There are concerns for the health of dogs in the area (Paul Dean)

Paul Dean, who first raised the alarm and was involved in the clear-up, said he contacted Anglesey Council's waste department to let them know where the bin bags were - and the council sent someone to collect them that same day. He told NorthWalesLive: "I was down on the beach this morning and there were only a couple of small chunks, which went in the bin. We'll now have to wait to see what the next storm brings with it."

As an edible vegetable oil used in many processed foods, palm oil is not poisonous to dogs, but it does have a laxative effect and, if eaten, it can cause sickness, diarrhoea and dehydration. In extreme cases, pancreatitis is possible, according to Vets Now.

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Owners are advised to watch out for symptoms and to seek urgent veterinary treatment if they show signs of illness after gnawing palm oil chunks. At sea, the floating bergs can absorb harmful diesel, chemicals, and bacteria.

"Palm oil has resulted in serious complications in a small minority of dogs," said Vets Now in an online blog. "One study of 60 dogs who had ingested palm oil found fewer than half displayed symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea or loose stools. However, all of the dogs recovered and there was no evidence to suggest that palm oil ingestion in dogs can be fatal."

Some 12 bins bags were needed for the first and largest of the bergs (Paul Dean)

Palm oil washes up on beaches around the world as it is used by ships as a cleaning agent when washing out their fuel tanks at sea. Earlier this year Frankie Hobro, director of Anglesey Sea Zoo, said: "Unbelievably, it is perfectly legal for ships to dump palm oil into the ocean when they swill out their holds, as long as they are at least 12 miles offshore.

"The result is oil bergs.... washing up on beaches. The colour varies and so does the size and shape - they can weigh up to a quarter of a tonne! It is common for large numbers of them to be washed up on beaches in the same area at the same time."

Anglesey is thought to be a hotspot for palm oil deposits as a result of a 1991 shipwreck. Maltese ship Kimya was carrying palm oil in its cargo when it capsized in a storm 16 miles southwest of Holyhead. Despite valiant rescue efforts, 10 crew members died.

Subsequent storms are believed to have moved the wrecked ship and dislodged palm oil from the ship’s hold, some washing up at Trearddur Bay. On beaches, the congealed chunks often look like waxy pebbles or boulders, and are coloured white, yellow or orange.

Andrew Forgrave