Mystery oil slick sparks bird rescue amid fears more wildlife is at risk

28 February 2024 , 17:05

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An oiled Guillimot rescued by the RSPCA (Image: RSPCA/SWNS)

A mystery oil slick off the south coast of England has led to birds having to be rescued amid fears that a wider slick could harm more wildlife.

Wildlife experts are caring for 15 oiled birds who were found off the coast of East Sussex and Kent on Friday, February 23. The rescue came after the RSPCA received an emergency call reporting birds who had been covered in contaminants following a spill off the Hastings coast.

Rescuers went to collect the birds and a total of eight guillemots, six razorbills and one gannet have been rescued so far. The birds have all been transported to RSPCA Mallydams Wood Wildlife Centre, near Hastings, where the team have specialist equipment and skills for treating oiled birds.

The experts note that if contaminants are not removed from waterbirds it reduces the natural waterproofing in their plumage, leaving them at risk of dying from hypothermia - so it is vital that they are treated as soon as possible. The Mallydams team is currently hand-feeding the birds as well as rehydrating them. They plan to begin washing the substance from the birds' feathers once they're strong and healthy enough.

An oiled Guillimot rescued by the RSPCA (RSPCA/SWNS)

The rehabilitation team is being led by Richard Thompson, the UK's leading oiled bird rehabilitation expert. He said: "The birds are now stable and the Mallydams wildlife team are rehydrating the injured birds and supporting them. In the next few days, we will wash the substance from the birds using our specialised facility.

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"Once free of contaminants and given a clean bill of health, the birds will be released back into the wild, where they belong. We're lucky to have decades of experience treating oiled birds, as well as specialised equipment to help treat them in a safe way. We'd urge anyone who sees an oiled bird not to attempt to rescue or treat them themselves, but to instead call the RSPCA for help."

The team at the RSPCA say they are very worried that these birds won't be the only ones caught up in the spill. Mallydams Wood centre manager, Peter Smith, added: "We're very concerned these could be just the first of many birds that will be caught up in the contaminant spill and we've made emergency plans to rescue and treat any further birds who need our help. At the moment birds are being washed up across East Sussex and Kent and the slick seems to be moving across to the East. It's incredibly alarming to see how many animals could be impacted by this."

"We informed the Marine Coastguard Agency (MCA) about the birds and they've taken samples from the water and launched an investigation."

Rom Preston-Ellis