grey seal pup stuck in tar

[Guest guest]

Tar seal from Copinsay Orkney report by Ross Flett of Orkney Seal

Rescue

 

30th January

 

The island of Copinsay is an uninhabited island of the East Mainland

of Orkney. A steep green island dominated by a lighthouse, and a

cluster of holms and skerries on its shoreward side.

On Sunday I received a call from a concerned sheep farmer who had

been on the island to remove his sheep by boat to the Orkney

mainland. While herding the sheep on to a boat they heard the

plaintive cries of a seal from a disused roofless farm building. On

closer examination they discovered a grey seal pup stuck in tar

within the building. The building, at one time, stored wooden

barrels of tar and through time the barrels have collapsed and

discharged their contents.

On return to the mainland their conscience got the better of them

and decided to contact me for help. After several unsuccessful calls

to secure a boat to the island today I had to settle for a trip

early on Monday morning to rescue the pup from this sticky

situation. [click on image to enlarge. More pics on Image Library]

 

Located the seal pup in a disused outbuilding close to the small

jetty that was formally used by the lighthouse keepers when the

light was manned. Around 30 min to dig the pup out of its road tar

trap and then administer some rehydration fluids as she was very

dehydrated before returning to the mainland by boat. Have attempted

to remove some of the road tar with some success but its going to

take several days to get it all removed and the pup on the road to

recovery. I am glad to say that at least I didn't have the mass

media circus to deal with as well on this very remote island of the

North. This is the most extreme case of wildlife pollution that I

have witnessed on an individual animal and its ironic that it has

happened on a nature reserve owned by one of the UK's largest

wildlife organisations. The RSPB have been informed and are taking

steps to remove the source of pollution.

 

Ross Flett - Orkney Seal Rescue