Rescue operation to save swans and ducks from oil-ridden canal

DUCK'S and swans have been saved in Lancashire during a rescue operation from a contaminated canal in Hyndburn.

The RSPCA launched a water rescue operation on October 7th to save oil-covered birds from the water in Clayton-le-Moor.

The animal welfare charity was first made aware of a spill on the canal near Victoria Street at Clayton-le-Moors on Monday.

They were immediately able to catch two swans which had been blackened with the oil

But to save the other swans and ducks the RSPCA launched an operation involving a team of five officers manning a water rescue boat.

A team of five water rescue officers returned to the scene to carry out the operation and they managed to catch three more swans and an Aylesbury duck.

If oil is not removed from waterbirds it reduces the natural waterproofing in their plumage, leaving them at risk of dying from hypothermia making it vital that they are treated as soon as possible.

RSPCA Deputy Chief Inspector Carl Larsson said: “All the birds are preening to try and clean themselves but while they are doing this they are not feeding and they will become weak so we have to act fast before this happens.

“We believe some other birds may have been affected by the oil but they had flown away so local officers will be monitoring the area over the coming days and will capture any more wildlife affected who will also be treated to remove the oil.”

All the birds were taken to Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre, in Nantwich, Cheshire, where they will be cleaned several times to get rid of the oil which can sometimes take two members of staff 30 minutes for each wash.

Every oiled bird is assessed on arrival to Stapeley Grange and sometimes multiple deep cleans are needed to remove all the contaminate.

Lee Stewart, manager at Stapeley Grange, said: “Cleaning just one bird can use half a bottle of washing-up liquid, and oiled birds sometimes need to have multiple washes to be completely cleaned of the oil

“If there are no other injuries the washed birds can be transferred to outside pools with other swans, geese and ducks. It's then a waiting game for the oil to be removed or for it to dissipate before returning them home.

“The Aylesbury duck will be rehomed as it is not wild and we believe was illegally dumped at the site.”

The RSPCA has notified the Environment Agency about the spillage and once the area is cleaned the wildlife will be returned to the canal.