February 2009

02/02/09
Following an email received from the Scottish Agricultural College in Inverness today (which had been passed to them by Tayside police who had been contacted by member of the public Elaine Kerr), Medics Thom McNeil & Stewart Burns were dispatched to the location (withheld on this report) to investigate a dead seal. SAC had indicated a possibility of performing a post mortem.
First reports indicated that the seal had been shot, but this was later ruled out by Elaine Roft & Bob Pert after observations of wounds. The female grey seal was in a fresh state, measured 5ft in length and had excellent body condition. There were no visible signs of trauma or injury detrimental to the seals death. The skull and nose were intact and there was no evidence of it having been shot after a thorough examination of the carcass was carried out. Scavenger damage was observed on the right eye with the orbit fully exposed, and there was some pussy blood oozing from the nares. The mammary teats which are normally retracted (not visible) under the hair coat, were clearly visible and prominent - usually an indication there there is milk, infection or other abnormalities present. Head office and Tayside police were informed of our findings and arrangements made to have the body removed from the beach by Environmental Health after SAC confirmed post mortem would not be carried out since the seal was identified as a grey and not a common.

Elaine Roft
Marine Mammal Medic
 

08/02/09

DEAD SEAL AT RIVERVIEW CARAVAN PARK - MONIFIETH

This carcass was bagged and tagged by Medics who assessed it with a notice saying it would be removed from the beach by Environmental Health. We have since had numerous complaints notifying us that the pungent carcass is still in the same location.

To clarify - We are a marine wildlife rescue service, dead carcass removals are the job of Angus Council's Environmental Health Unit. We are neither responsible for, nor have the necessary equipment for, the removal of hazardous waste from the beaches of Angus!

Medic Elaine Roft has already reported it and will call the office again first thing Monday to ask that it be removed ASAP as scavengers continue to disrupt the coverings placed over this dead animal which in turn is causing distress to members of the public.

We apologise for the lack of service provided by the council - This is outwith our control, and not BDMLR related.

For those of you wishing to forward your own complaints to speed the council up, they can be reached on the access line 08452777778 and ask for Environmental Health / animal control

Apologies to all who contacted us...PLEASE DO NOT BE PUT OFF IN REPORTING FURTHER CARCASSES. BDMLR Medics will continue to bag and tag these animals until The council remove them.

11/02/09
I took receipt of a call from Isla Gayton of Shanwell Wildlife Rescue Trust saying that herself and Gareth Norman were currently at Broughty Ferry Harbour with 2 live stranded common dolphins (mother and calf). I informed Isla that I would contact head office for them so they could concentrate on the dolphins as the line was constantly busy. On getting through to Sue at BDMLR Head Office she confirmed that Tayside Police had just called it in hence Isla not getting through. Montrose/Arbroath Medic Thom McNeil and Dundee Medic Stewart Burns were both called and asked to report to Gareth on their arrival. Head Office would send out a group text for further Medic Help. On calling Isla back to confirm liaisons, I was informed that both mother and calf had been successfully refloated and asked did they want us to stand down the rest of the Medics which was confirmed. Stewart Burns and Thom McNeil remained in the area with Gareth and Isla until they were satisfied that both mammals were completely safe and swimming together in the open sea now that they had their equilibrium back. Head Office were updated by Gareth that 2 builders who were nearby were first on scene and had already refloated the calf before Gareth arrived. They were about to refloat the mother but were stopped by Gareth until he had done an assessment on her to check that she was in excellent body weight.
well done to all involved including the builders! and thanks to Medics Sue and Paul Horne, & Rebecca Chambers whom along with myself were free later in the day after work if the dolphins happened to restrand. Gareth was sent a text saying that most of my team were free from 12ish onwards should he need us.

Elaine Roft

17/02/09
At 20.15pm, BDMLR Elaine Roft received a call from Jenny Scott an SSPCA Inspector who was having a very busy evening. She had 3 calls waiting for her to check; a swan, cat with a shattered pelvis and a seal pup. Jenny was dealing with the cat that had the shattered pelvis over in Edinburgh and asked Elaine having got her number from Colin Seddon at Middlebank if we could help with the seal pup at St Abbs. The pup had been reported by several people who said that it was on the rocks next to the slipway, had started to lose it's white coat and had been there for the past few days, it was now having trouble breathing. Out of hours had mobile phone problems so Elaine contacted Sue White BDMLR administrator on her mobile. A text message was sent out to local medic's and calls made to Coordinators. By 22.00hrs medics were on their way, Jenny (SSPCA) called to say that she was now also on her way and would meet the medics there.

The pup was found to be underweight and had a wound to it's hind flipper, the pup was taken directly to SSPCA MIddlebank for treatment. We have received an update this morning (Wednesday) from SSPCA Middlebank to say that it is a female pup which they have named "Linnhe". She is receiving treatment for the wound and was looking very bright.

Thank you to everyone who assisted with this rescue; Sally Hessey Assistant Coordinator for Edinburgh, Elaine Roft, Karen Kirk, Jenny from SSPCA and SSPCA Middlebank.

Sue White
BDMLR Administrator

26/02/09
Gillian Muir from Tayside Police Central Control called my BDMLR mobile at 17.37pm to report a seal pup in distress at The Elliot Burn in Arbroath. Police Incident Number 312 was logged on file and Gillian requested an update later so they could cross it off their books. Arbroath/Montrose Medic Thom McNeil and Dundee Medic Stewart Burns were free to respond. Stewart confirmed he would call me when he arrived on scene and had met up with Thom. (BDMLR on call Karen Kirk) (and Sue White covering Karen 'til 7pm were both informed of current proceedings). Thom McNeil called me back at 7pm from Jane Tait's mobile and reported that the almost fully weaned grey seal pup ( a few white hairs on muzzle) was underweight with prominent loose folds of skin showing and it was lying on its side. It was responsive and alert and had no visible signs of discharges from eyes, ears and nose but it was coughing. On moving on to its stomach the folds of skin were less obvious so it was suggested that the pup was borderline. Jane Tait (Member of the public) who spotted the pup whilst out walking her dog "Alfie" was kind enough to stay with it until Medics arrived keeping other dog walkers away as an Alsatian had already made for it! The SSPCA had also been called by concerned members of the public and we were made aware of this whilst in attendance. Colin Lydell at SSPCA Middlebank was given all details and confirmed that a seal pen was available and would Medics call when they were outside the centre so that the gates to the rehab unit could be opened up. ETA was given as 9.30ish. Gillian from Tayside Police was updated on the pups uplift as was Karen Kirk (BDMLR on call). I also called the on duty SSPCA inspector out of courtesy to ask if the pup had been reported to them which was confirmed but there was no word of anybody having been, or intending to go and assess it. I let them know that Medics had uplifted the pup so there was no need for them to respond now. Asked by the Inspector if there was something wrong with it, I confirmed that it was virtually fully weaned and borderline underweight.
Many thanks to all involved in particular Jane Tait & "Alfie" for staying with the pup for 45 minutes to keep dog walkers away prior to medic arrival, and for staying whilst the medics got the car and seal transportation tank onto the adjoining grass and pathway. Jane has now joined us with "Alfie" as one of our local "doggy walker observers".

Elaine Roft
Marine Mammal Medic
BDMLR Area Co-ordinator

Seal pup has settled in at Middlebank. Named "Striven" and given reference number 0242. It weighed in at 20kg.Borderline but Colin was happy to accommodate it and treat the Pup which was again coughing on way to rehab centre and will be treated for lungworm. It also has a small infection to its naval which will be treated.

Stewart Burns
Marine Mammal Medic
Dundee Area

E-mail received by BDMLR from Mr Penman, also involved with "Striven's" rescue!

My nephew & I were also out walking the path returning from the Elliot burn at the west links with our 3 Huskies when 2 ladies we had met earlier told us about the seal pup. As our dogs are always on the lead we stayed to the park side of the path when we arrived at the seal. There was another couple out walking their dog which was not on a lead so we informed them of the seal, thee=y made no effort to take their dog under control but it did not interfere with the pup. I gave Ross my 2 Huskies and approached the seal as it was on the grass at this time and the tide was on its way out. I was concerned for it as it was unusual for seals to come up this far in our area. I knelt down and spoke to it and it replied with a few barks it did not appear to have been injured but did look dry.

 
It seemed lively enough and turned on it's back & spoke some more to me as I had kept up a conversation with it. I went back to Ross and asked if he had his phone but sods law neither of us hadour phones. We returned home and after dropping Ross off I phoned your emergency number and was told that it had been reported and the situation was being monitored. I told the person I talked to that I had Salmon in the freezer & was going to return with it defrosted & with a bucket to carry see water to it to wet it's skin. but he assured me it would be alright and that it's mother would return with the tide.

Later my sister Ross & his sister Erin went to check on it as I was still worried for it's safety as there are kids here who would take great delight in giving it grief & possibly injuring it. She called me later to tell me that your medics had arrived on scene and were getting ready to transport it from the beach. Irene then showed the driver how to get round from the car park at Elliot to the beach path. Erin who is doing animal welfare at college is keen to volunteer was given the info by your team & will hopefully be in touch with you.

This is my first experience being close up to sea wild life as I hate the sea & fish but this guy was just like being with the 14 pups Aurora our Huskie has had over the past 2 years. It is an experience I will not forget. It had no fear & I felt it was just looking for some TLC.

I will always be on the lookout now for any others as it seems there has been a few left on the shores recently & I will always make sure I have my phone & your number is easy to remember. If you need any helpers up this
way don't hesitate to call.

Not crazy about the name maybe you should have called it Elliot as it was found about 700 yards from the burn/ village of that name.

I will be watching the site for updates & the local paper here will no doubt be interested too.

Thanks for reading my rambling

Kindest regards to all & a special thanks to your team.

G. A. Penman
Arbroath.
 

27.02.09

Seal Call Out
Out dog walking on my patrol area, I came across a grey seal pup at Lathallan Burn North of Johnshaven at 10.15am. I Contacted area Co-ordinator Elaine Roft to let her know that medic Paul Horne was on his way with the seal tank as this was an uplift, and to assist me since I had dogs with me. The pup was uplifted from the beach at 11.24am as it had a distinct neck but otherwise reasonable body condition (borderline) very laboured raspy breathing, chronic diarrhoea and a few abrasions to its mouth and flippers. it was also very lethargic and respirations were recorded as 9bpm.Sue White BDMLR contacted SSPCA Middlebank to book a seal pen as Medics and co-ordinator were engaged in another call-out. The pup would be in Montrose at approx 12 mid day. Photo shows pup as it arched its back and squealed before passing the first bout of diarrhoea.

Rebecca Chambers
Marine Mammal Medic Montrose/Arbroath

12.20 Seal pup now en route from Montrose to Arbroath (Travelling time approx 30 mins) where medic Thom McNeil will resume relay to Dundee. Breathing is very slow, and raspy and pup gasping. Asked Elaine to contact HO to see if we can have a BDMLR vet meet en route to Middlebank. Colin Lydell at Middlebank has been given an ETA for pups arrival 2pmish.Steven Drew, Medic & vet from East Neuk Veterinary Clinic will be updated on the pups progress by Elaine and if its condition is comprised during transit then a diversion to the St Monan's Practice will go ahead so that Steven can check it over and administer any emergency first aid that may be required.
Paul Horne
Marine Mammal Medic Montrose/Arbroath
13.27 I have taken receipt of the pup from Paul Horne. Updated Elaine on its condition and she is happy that I continued to Middlebank. Sue White will inform Steven Drew that his professional veterinary services are not required as the pup has settled and no longer gasping. Pup arrived safely at Middlebank, weighed in at 22kg, was named "Buie" and given reference number 0243.Perked up during transit and arrival.

Stewart Burns
Marine Mammal Medic Dundee

Dead Dolphin call Out
Area Co-ordinator Elaine Roft called me at 10.30am asking if I was free to respond to a dead baby dolphin that had been reported to SAC in Inverness by member of the public Chris Conolly. The cetacean was spotted between the 2 bridges at Riverside Drive, opposite the apartments in Dundee, in the water. I retrieved the body and it was bagged and placed in my car for transportation to qualified medic Bob Pert who would let Elaine know if it was fresh enough for post mortem and for species ID. If fresh enough, and as agreed by SAC we would transport it North nearer for uplift by SAC. 12.34 Bob Pert has confirmed the cetacean to be in a fresh state and confirmed as a female dolphin calf measuring 3-3.5ft in length (approximately). It has been taken North by Paul Horne during Changeover with seal pup. Elaine will contact SAC and provide location for carcass pick up for post mortem.

Stewart Burns &Thom McNeil
Marine Mammal Medics

update: Medic Ian Sim currently transporting the dolphin from Montrose to Stonehaven and will meet up with Aberdeenshire Medic Nick Duthie who will resume relay to SAC services in Dyce where it will be collected by Bob Reid SAC Inverness tomorrow. Elaine has just received photos taken by Thom McNeil who assisted Stewart and can now confirm species to be a young common dolphin calf. It is being given priority and a post mortem will be carried out tomorrow with a copy of post mortem sent to Head Office & BDMLR vet James Barnett.