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September 2007
10/09/07 14.00hrs today I received a call from Martin Spouse (A
fisherman). Martin has for the past 4 years kept
an eye on the local small colony of seals (mixed Greys and Commons),
in particular an adult seal named "Ladylike". Ladylike had a
severe eye infection in February 2006 and BDMLR Head Office was
notified at the time. It was pointed out, that some seals develop
perfectly well in the wild with eye defects and Martin agreed having
talked to Galashiels Medic Karen Kirk that he would continue with
his observations on her. At the time of the first report, pollution
from fuel which was dumped by boats in the harbour may have had some
effect on the seals and their overall health and may have caused the
eye problem with "Ladylike". BDMLR vet James Barnett advised
monitoring, with updates on her, and the others and their general
wellbeing. Martin is now concerned as "Ladylike's" eye is now
completely cloudy (either a cataract which has developed or the eye
infection has worsened) and as she is bumping into things fears are
growing for her safety (she has been known to bump into boats).
Martin has been supplying his fish to a local fish van and the
locals have been purchasing the fish to feed to the seals in a bid
to keep them in a particular area and away from the regions where
other fishermen have threatened to shoot them all. I contacted
BDMLR'S Sue White, updating her on today's call and also updated
Medic Karen Kirk. It is hoped that a BDMLR Consulting vet can meet
up with Martin (who is willing to use his boat) for approaching
"Ladylike" even though she has had the same favoured haul out for 4
years. Once an assessment on her eye condition has been carried out
and her health in general assessed, a decision will be made as to
the best possible prognosis for her, based on diagnosis. If short
term surgery and rehab is required to help her, then there's a
possibility according to Sue White (BDMLR Head Office) that East
Winch or Queensferry May accommodate her. Local Co-ordinator David
Fuller-Shapcott was also to be informed via Head Office. Updates to
follow later.
11/09/07
14/09/07
16/09/07
Ladylike isn't without her admirers, this male grey has been seen
keeping her company!
18/09/07 Weighing 7-8 ounces, "Fuzzypeg" -
Rebeccas hoglet uplifted from Johnshaven on the 13th is estimated at
being approximately 5 weeks old. Food intake has now increased to
twice daily (Usually a tablespoon of food taken per each feed) and
water from a small shallow dish 2 x daily (as per the hoglets own
requirements). 3 ticks have been removed from the prickles on its
back with the aid of tweezers. Fuzzypeg is continuing to make good
progress and is getting stronger by the day.
18/09/07 On a visit to a local Somerfield store, my attention was drawn to a young pigeon (squab / squeaker) that was trapped behind grilling which had been put in place to stop the birds from nesting. After discussions with the store manager Christopher Swan it was agreed that we should try and release the young pigeon which had no escape route as there were fears from an animal welfare point of view that it may die from starvation and or dehydration. After a few calls to numerous that evening, all proving negative by 10pm it was decided to leave things till morning when we had more time and light, although my fears were growing for the survival of the bird.
19/09/07 Following discussions from SSPCA, RSPB and Pest
Control, it was advised that whoever put the grilling in place, was
legally responsible for taking it down to free the birds from their
entrapment. Again as this was proving difficult to ascertain who had
put the grilling up, Medic Elaine Roft and Store Manager Christopher
Swan agreed that any help from whoever meantime would be beneficial
to the welfare of the bird. Rescue operations proceeded at 13.56hrs
after help was sought by myself from Tayside Fire Brigade Unit
(Montrose Department). The pigeon that I had observed, was retrieved
from the location in which I had spotted it yesterday, sadly dead.
Its entrapment area prevented it from being able to fly, spread its
wings, or turn around. All it could do was shuffle backwards causing
wing damage and hop up and down on the spot. Another batch of
pigeons, also trapped were well out of reach (estimated to be at
least 3 of them by the attending fireman), so a hole was cut in the
grilling to allow an escape route. Car Park attendant Dean confirmed
that the adult birds had been using a long narrow slit behind the
floodlights to gain access to the interior of the shelving. (This is
obviously where they had decided to nest), resulting in the young
squabs being trapped once the grilling had been secured in place,
and being young, unable to fly from the entry point used by the
adult birds. The squabs from what we had observed briefly, on one of
them, the one I first noticed when alive appeared to be fully
feathered, but its condition had not been determined. I can now
confirm that this particular pigeon died from starvation. Somerfield
staff are cooperating with the BDMLR Medics, by observing movement
and sound coming from the youngsters and that of the adult birds to
see if they feed the young. Observations are continuing with the
Medics working in shifts, but for now we are satisfied that an
escape route has been provided, also allowing another entry point
for the adult birds and escape route for the squabs, as the store
manager is reluctant to have the entire of the grilling removed as
he said he had a duty to protect the public. WCLO's Blair Wilkie and
Ken Linton were at the scene last night and asked if the SSPCA could
confirm if they were happy with the position as it now stands. A
message was left by myself for Penny Johnston to call me on her
arrival at work on Thursday morning as it was now gone 10.30pm.Her
views will then be passed on to Officers Wilkie and Linton on their
return to work after their holidays on Monday when they will advise
the store manager of future barricading.
20/09/07 Both Penny Johnstone (SSPCA) & Trevor Weeks (BDMLR &
IAR), both confirmed that now the birds had an exit point in
addition to their original entry point, Under the Wildlife &
Countryside Act 1981, no crime has now been committed. HOWEVER, in
future, if grilling is to be put in place to stop the birds from
nesting, Then ALL entry points must be blocked off and inspection
carried out thoroughly beforehand to ensure that there are no birds
nesting at the time of boarding up. If boarding is placed whilst
birds are nesting, thus allowing them no escape, then that justifies
an offence. Officers Wilkie & Linton will be updated accordingly and
this passed on to The Somerfield Store Manager Christopher Swan. Our
thanks today to Penny Johnstone (SSPCA) and Trevor Weeks ( BDMLR &
IAR) )
The grilling in question.
20/9/07 It is with sadness that I report that Rebecca's wee hoglet sadly passed away in the early hours of Wednesday 19th at 02.30hrs. "Fuzzypeg" was doing well and had a spell outside for 10 minutes on the afternoon of Tuesday the 18th to stretch its legs in the warm autumn sunshine that was beating down on its run whilst its indoor pen was being disinfected with Virkon. He (yes he was a wee boy) even took time to play with a jingle ball! In the evening he started to show signs of lungworm and medication was promptly ordered (Lvomectin) for injecting upon receipt. Indoors his bowel movements changed and he was virtually passing straight food that he had eaten throughout the daytime. Fluids were administered orally by pipette at regular intervals throughout as he had stopped drinking by teatime and despite all this he seemed to be doing ok. At 00.30hrs his conditioned worsened - his coughing progressed into a rasping, and hoarseness could be heard within the lung cavity. Again despite this, he was relaxed and content on his heat pad. At 02.30hrs, still in a comfy position and without pain he slipped into a comatose state with very slow laboured breathing. This lasted for 5 minutes before he quietly slipped away without any discomfort at all, still in his resting position, having not moved or flinched. This is the first hedgehog out of many that I have rescued and taken indoors to prevent hibernation and lost, so to say I was gutted is an understatement. Rebecca was informed of his passing at 09.30 that morning. Below are some of the photos I was able to take before his passing during his 5 minute spell in his exercise run, then afterwards back in his box for the night with his heat pad and towel. I hope this brings some comfort to Rebecca who was equally upset on hearing the news.
Elaine Roft
24/09/07
25/09/07 Our stranded whale hits the news.......
Click here- BBC NEWS | Scotland | Highlands and Islands | Injured whale trapped in sea loch
Whale restranded at
10.30hrs near Garynashine and died shortly afterwards. Animal
described as being thin and in poor condition. Post mortem likely
later in day. Carcass to be removed by local authority.
30/09/07
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MARINE LIFE RESCUEMontrose Area |
