Whale monitoring in Chichester Harbour
31st July 2008
A whale, probably a Northern Bottlenose, has been monitored today by Claire Stares (Hampshire Coordinator) in Chichester harbour. The whale made its way to the harbour entrance at low tide and then turned around and came back in this evening.
Equipment and specialist help from the Animal Rescue Team from Hampshire Fire and Rescue has been moved to the area in case the whale strands on sandbanks. A team will be monitoring again from first light tomorrow morning.
Sue White
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Bridlington Rescue and Fundraising Report
30th July 2008
Saturday (26th July) we did a fund raising day with the Bridlington lifeboat. What a fabulous day, we were made very welcome by all the lifeboat crew. We did four demonstrations of dolphin and seal rescue, which the members of the public enjoyed and were interested as many visited our stall and asked a lot of questions about our charity and the work we do. I think the team who spent one of the hottest days of the year in their dry suits were brilliant, but we all worked together to make it a good day (albeit some of us have 'burnt bits!!).
Thank you to Pets Paradise in Bridlington who raised £47.68.
Yesterday I was waiting for the farrier to come when Bev rang and said she had a report of a seal at Danes Dyke so I did some quick phoning to sort the farrier out, cancelled an appointment, grabbed Marlene and drove off to Danes Dyke.
Having done a rescue there before I hoped we would be able to open the barrier and take the car down as it was yet another difficult access (will these seals ever learn. or do they have the same sat-nav as me!!)
Another poorly seal but a little bit more feisty than the last two, so he was taken to Sea life also.
He weighed 7.5kgs, a real tiny one, and his glucose was 2.3, but he has taken a fish aswell as fluids.They have called him 'Alfie'
Thanks go to Jennifer and Liam who (despite poor telephone reception!) notified us. Marlene and Scarborough Sealife Centre.
Lesley Salisbury
Marine Mammal Medic
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Harbour Seal Pup ‘Miles’ - Mappleton
29th July 2008
At about 8.45pm Freddie rang me to ask me to accompany her to Mappleton to see a seal pup. So I went home and grabbed my gear and Freddie picked me up. On arrival we met with the people who had reported him and they gave us a rough description and location of the pup. A mile down the beach near a blue box in a towel. Ok.
We walked along the beach for what seemed ages before we spotted him. I took a few pictures and we gave him a look over and quickly decided to take him to the vet. The pup was very small and dehydrated and had mucus and blood around its mouth. The pup hardly moved as we approached and did not even flinch as we picked him up. We were worried about stressing him out further so Freddie carried him in her arms half way there and then we swapped. His breathing was laboured and was really lethargic, and so small. We placed him in the cage in the car and set off to Swanbridge. The vet had been warned of our arrival and was on standby. I was watching him as Freddie drove and about half way there we stopped to check on him as I was worried as he had not moved for a while, and he had gone. We rang to warn the vets but carried on and checked him there and we were right. He had died in the car with us but it is slightly better than dying on his own. 11.45pm and we are on our way home.
Once home putting my gear away I noticed the stars were out and as I watch them I saw a shooting star and thought of Miles. A fitting end to a sad night.
Thank you to all the people involved, the people who reported him, Charlotte and her partner, and the vet and nurses we kept up.
Thank you all again.
Adel Sheppard
Humber and Yorkshire region
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Mary - seal rescue at Gristhorpe, East Yorkshire
29th July 2008
We are having a busy time at the moment I think I need a bed in Sea Life as I have taken three pups there in the last ten days. Last Fri 18th Bruce and I received a call about a pup at Gristhorpe by the Blue Dolphin Holiday camp.
We were directed to its location by a member of their staff. On arrival we realised it was going to be a difficult rescue as the little seal had hauled herself onto a beach with poor access. A 200ft climb(scramble!!) to reach her. We followed one of the people who had found her and decided the seal bag would be better than the cage as we needed to negotiate the not very good path. Down we went on all fours at times and when we saw our seal it was obvious she was very, very poorly and she also had a fish hook stuck in her side, which I removed staightaway.
She was so small and so lethargic she was easy to put into the seal bag and then it was back to negotiate the climb back up.
We did it in relays passing the bag from one to another and when we reached my car we transferred her into my cage and, after taking all the peoples names and thanking them for all their help and interest, took off to Scarborough Sea life.
They were waiting for us and gave her emergency treatment . She was put on a drip as she was so poorly, she weighed 9.7kgs and had a high temp.
Unfortunately, despite everyone's best efforts, she died that night which upset us all but at least her death was more dignified than if she had not been found, she was just to poorly too survive.
Thank you to everyone who helped on this rescue, Bruce, Bev, Scarborough Sealife Centre, Cyane and Shea Robinson with their grandad Mr Dave Arnold, Gavin Roberts who reported the seal and carried Bruce's rucksack back up the cliff. Susan Hoole, Stephen, Josh and Kyle Greener.
Lesley Salisbury
Marine Mammal Medic
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Whale spotted at Lime Kilns, Dunfirmline, Scotland
The initial report came on the out-of-hours rescue line at about 8pm last night (Monday 28th July). The Whale appeared to be have been trapped under a waste water pipe. The whale was tail slapping and after a while managed to free itself. Rather than swimming off and away, the whale stayed about 20 metres off the harbour wall. It was relatively motionless but worryingly with its head pointing towards the shore. It was high tide so rescuers could not get close to the animal, so the local RNLI were called for assistance. The Coastguards Mud rescue team were also mobilised in case the animal stranded as the tide receeded. Flood lights were erected to keep an eye on the animal.
The whale eventually started to move at about midnight but as it circled round the animal was swimming on its side and at one point spent 2-3 minutes completely upside down. The whale then righted itself and swam off in the direction of the Forth Bridge. The RNLI using night vision equipment tried to follow the animal but it quickly disappeared at about 1.30am.
BDMLR would like to thank the SSPCA, Coastguard, RNLI, Shanwell Wildlife Rescue, BDMLR vets Lesa Longley and Cameron McPherson as well as local Ast Co-ordinator Sally Hessey for their help into the early hours on the morning.
Trevor Weeks
National Co-ordinator
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Stone Bay, Broadstairs Seal Rescue
25th July 2008
Just two weeks after completing the MMM course at Margate, Kent, Jo Flatt and myself were very excited to be called out to a common seal pup on a beach at Broadstairs today. The seal had been seen the day before but had apparently been taken back out to sea by a member of the public!
When we finally located the pup she appeared to be very underweight. We were told by a member of the public that she had been at that location since the early hours of the morning and we were sure that the mother was not around. Using a towel, we restrained her exactly how we were trained on the course! She seemed lethargic but had pink gums and no injuries.
We wanted to be absolutely sure that we were doing the right thing by removing her from the beach so I had the easy job of seal sitting while poor Jo had to walk about a mile to find a signal for her mobile phone!
We transported her in a vari-kennel to Brett who checked her over and gave her fluids. Brett had arranged onward transport to RSPCA Mallydams.
After completing the MMM course, we both felt confident about what we were doing, especially knowing that there was expert help at the end of the phone - even if Jo had to walk a mile for a signal!
Thanks to Jo, Brett and RSPCA Mallydams.
Andrew Kirby
Kent Medic & RSPCA Inspector
BDMLR at the Lincoln Waterfront Festival
24th July 2008
Saturday 19th and Sunday20th July was Lincoln’s annual waterfront festival. This is the first year BDMLR have attended, and with success I may add.
Occupying more than our fair share of space with a stall, the whale, dolphin and seal models as well as the pontoons we certainly made an impact. We spoke to plenty of people to explain the work of BDMLR and raise awareness of marine mammals in UK waters as well as generating just short of £160.00. We also gave a live interview on Siren FM, the local radio station.
Many thanks go to Sally Hessey and Russell Knew, both MMMs in the Lincolnshire area for their efforts on the weekend. Also thanks to Lincoln BSAC 109 dive club for all their help in setting up and pulling down on both days, and to Sue and Trevor in the office for all their knowledge and assistance.
Look out Lincoln, I think we’ll be back next year. (I would say bigger and better, but I don’t think my car will take any extra than it did).
Stuart McCall
Marine Mammal Medic, Lincoln
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
The Caithness Show Thurso
We decided to use this as a joint fundraiser and Public awareness event
a number of the medics were kind enough to give prizes for the raffle and tombola that was to run, although to be honest it looked more like a branch of Threshers.
Wet and windy was the only way to describe the Caithness show, a number of stalls were already blowing round the car park when we arrived so we decided not to inflate the pontoon. The only way to keep the stall from following the others was to tie it to the rescue trailer, which changed from an attraction into an anchor. I think if we had inflated the pontoon we would have been collecting it from Wick. The day really didn’t get that much better the rain and wind wouldn’t hold off and we did really well to raise £95.00 for BDMLR. Thanks to Colin and Shirley for standing out in the awful conditions all day and a lot of the prizes, that was brilliant.
Thanks to Jim the equipments man for getting the air tanks and turning up at the crack to help and to Karen,Mandy & Karl for being very generous with the
prizes.
A good result another great effort thank you
one and all !!!!
Richard Bradley
Caithness Area Coordinator
Loggerhead Turtle found
19th July 2008
Ria Gregory was on the beach at Ogmore-By-Sea, nr Bridgend when the turtle was washed in with the tide near to her. She immediately picked up the turtle which looked very weak and phoned the RSPCA. The RSPCA attended and picked up the turtle, they then contacted BDMLR to help transport the little creature to RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre where it stayed overnight. As the turtle was stable it was transported next day by BDMLR medics to the Blue Reef Aquarium in Newquay, Cornwall. Blue Reef have expert staff and the right rehabilitation conditions for the turtle, they took in 2 stranded turtles earlier this year which were released fit and well back in to the sea off the Canary Islands at the begging of July 08.
We hope this little Loggerhead will also make a full recovery and will soon be released back in to the sea.
The turtles weight was 1.255kg' length = ~ 20cm, width = ~ 17cm
Our thanks go to Ria Gregory, Paula RSPCA ACO, RSPCA West Hatch, Karen Kirk, Shawn Clements, Julie Kaye, Dave McDonald, Dave Jarvis and Blue Reef Aquarium.
Sue White
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Bridlington Common Seal Rescue
18th July 2008
Last friday I was getting ready to go out to meet my staff doing a night shift doing the security for Driffield Festival on the Sat when I received a phone call from Ryan my assistant co-ordinator. (BDMLR was putting a fund raising stall out at the festival so I would be wearing two hats at the festival, security and fund raising.) Ryan told me there was a seal on Bridlington beach and I told him to "bog off" and stop fooling around! It took him three goes to persuade me that there really WAS a seal on the beach so off I go, grabbing Marlene on the way.
On arrival at the beach it was obvious on looking at our little seal that she would need to come in. She was bleeding from her mouth and it was swollen. She was also de-hydrated and very underweight (I have invested in some scales and was able to weigh her, 9.2 kgs, a little wee one) She was so small I was able to pick her up without the usual 'straddle' jump and put her in my cage to wait for Bev and Ryan to take her to Sea Life in Scarborough.
Due to it being a lovely evening there were a few walkers around so we generated quite a lot of interest. Marlene and I gave out information handouts and explained what would happen to the little seal and the treatment she would receive in Sea Life.
When Bev arrived we transferred the seal to her cage and off she went to Sea life and off I went to Driffield.
I have spoken to Sea Life and the abscess in her mouth was deep and very sore so she would have probably died if she had not been found.
I am going to see her tomorrow and help with her treatment. Sea Life have called her Mabel.
I would like to say a big "thank-you"to the members of the public who gave us donations and I am sorry I have been a bit late with this report.
The Driffield Festival turned out to be a wash out and kept people away so the fund raising was a disaster really but a big "thank-you" to all the medics who braved the weather
Next Saturday 26th we are doing demonstrations for Bridlington Lifeboat Day so if you are listening 'up there' we would like some nice weather please.
Lesley Salisbury
Marine Mammal Medic
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Atlantic white-sided dolphin live strands at Hayle, Cornwall
17th July 2008
[click
on images to enlarge]
It started with the ominous call from downstairs of ‘Dan. Now.’ from Director/Cornwall Area Coordinator Dave Jarvis (or ‘dad’ to me) at about 1045hrs. I know what this shout means whenever dad is on the phone these days – something is stranded. Dave had received a call from the other Cornwall Area Coordinator Tim Bain, who had in turn been contacted about a dolphin stranded alive in the shallows at Upton Towans, Hayle. I jumped down the stairs and dad briefly told me everything I needed to know, i.e.: where I needed to be, as I grabbed a drysuit and chucked it in the car.
After a few minutes drive round the corner and up the road, I parked at St Ives Bay Holiday Park, changed into the drysuit and grabbed my rucksack and made my way down to the nearby RNLI lifeguard hut, already noting a decent-sized crowd on the beach a few hundred metres away on the tideline. The lifeguard offered to get a quad bike to come over to pick up my rucksack and take it over while I ran to the animal. A short distance away it was becoming clear that this was bigger than the common dolphins we normally get stranded down here, and when I was nearly there identified it as an Atlantic white-sided dolphin. I set about giving the usual initial assessment and first aid procedures by getting the lifeguards and Kit Gilbert, a very willing member of the public, guidance on recording the breathing rate, keeping it upright, digging fin trenches, keeping the blowhole above the waves splashing over us and giving the tail a wide berth. Rolling the animal to the side, it was obviously a male; there were couple of minor cuts to the underside most likely caused when stranding; there was an old healed slice taken from the back of the dorsal fin and a small nick just below it that had just started bleeding; an abrasion on the tail stock was also bleeding. However the things of more concern were the multitude of whale-lice infested pox lesions along both of the flanks, a breathing rate of 8 breaths per minute (bpm); and the poor nutritional condition. I estimated it to be between 2 – 2.5m in length. I relayed all of this back to Dave, who in turn passed this on to Sue White at Head Office while she called out Medics via the new text message system. The lifeguards told me that they had attempted one refloatation attempt before I had gotten there, and that the dolphin had swam lopsidedly and was very disorientated, quickly turning back to the shore and restranding. [Image
copyright Dan Jarvis]
We continued with first aid efforts while the outgoing tide left us high and dry, managing to reduce the breathing rate fairly quickly down to 5bpm. Dave and Lesley Jarvis arrived to help, shortly followed by Tim, Assistant Coordinator Jenny Haley, and Medics Cheryl Mills and Simon Bone. Tasks were allocated to the various team members, who relieved some of the lifeguards so they could continue with their regular job. Lesley applied KY jelly to the blowhole and kept the animal wet, Kit continued to monitor the breathing rate, Tim and Jenny helped keep the dolphin upright and the pectoral fins in the proper positions while Cheryl began filling in MARC (Marine Animal Rescue Coalition) recording forms and Simon started photographically recording the incident. The breathing rate continued to remain fairly low around 4 – 5 bpm, spiking up to 8bpm on a couple of occasions as we moved the animal and all the equipment up the beach away from the tide that was now rapidly catching up with us. As the dolphin continued to flap its tail, the underside of the thick tail stock was becoming abraded and bled, so a new trench was dug for this to keep it from worsening. By now a windbreak had been erected to deflect the wind and sun and a pair of lilos, brought over from the holiday park shop by the lifeguards, were inflated and inserted under the animal to better support it. Dave and Simon helped keep the growing crowd a safe distance away and informed of the proceedings. [Image
copyright Dan Jarvis]
Not long after this, BDMLR Veterinary Consultant Paul Riley from Head & Head Veterinary Practice arrived. Cheryl, the remaining lifeguards and I updated him on everything he needed to know as he assessed the condition of the dolphin and first aid continued to be administered by the rest of the Medics. A couple more Medics, Stu McGeachie and Richard Smedley, had now arrived and were placed with the dolphin to help support it in an upright position, relieving the last of the lifeguards. Paul decided that as the animal was in poor condition, and had not responded well to the earlier refloatation attempt by the lifeguards that euthanasia was the appropriate course of action to be taken, to which everyone agreed. He began preparing the sedative while Medics began informing the crowd of what was happening to ensure they understood what had to be done. Shortly after administering the sedative, the dolphin started to thrash about very violently for a minute or so, but soon calmed. Jenny, Stu, Ken and myself then helped to hold the tail still while Paul injected the euthanasia drug intravenously to the left tail fluke. Lesley, Tim, Simon, Cheryl and Kit kept monitoring the breathing rate and giving first aid until the last breath had been taken and the palpebral reflex gave no response. [Image
copyright Dan Jarvis]
Arrangements were made to take the body to the Veterinary Laboratory Agency at Polwhele, near Truro, for full post mortem examination by BDMLR Veterinary Coordinator James Barnett. In the meantime, the last couple of Medics, Jess Lee and Stephanie Middleton plus her sister, arrived and were updated on the sad turn of events while Caroline Curtis and Jan & Jeff Loveridge from the Cornwall Wildlife Trust Marine Strandings Network arrived to begin in-depth recording of various measurements and other details. After that the body was moved into the windbreak with the poles removed and pulled the few hundred yards across the beach and up the steep sand dune to the car park where Caroline’s trailer was waiting to take it away.
Really big well done to all Medics, Sue White at Head Office, the RNLI lifeguards and members of the public (especially Kit) for their assistance throughout the situation even though it turned out to be a sad ending for everyone, but at least the right decisions were made for the welfare of the dolphin and that is what is most important. Also, thank you to the Cornwall Wildlife Trust Marine Strandings Network volunteers who came to record the animal and help remove it from the beach so that it could be taken for a post mortem while in the freshest possible state.
Medic Dan Jarvis
Marine Mammal Medic
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Further images available to view in Image Library - HERE
Photos by Medic Simon Bone (Cornish Seals) - HERE
Photos by Jan Loveridge (Cornwall Wildlife Trust Marine Strandings Network) - HERE
