Yesterday afternoon the GSPCA were called to an injured guillemot at Petit Bot.
When GSPCA Ambulance Collection Officer Geoff George arrived he was faced with a very distressed and badly injured bird.
The guillemot had been caught with a floating fishing lure which had 3 sets of 3 hooks embedded in the back of the bird.
The lure had to be cut off and stitched which took place yesterday at Isabelle Vets.
The bird was then transported to the Shelter where he has been named Stitch and was placed in an intensive care unit over night.
Steve Byrne, GSPCA Manager said "Poor Stitch must have been in a great deal of pain and distress and if it hadn't been for the kind member of public finding this poor guillemot then he would have surely died last night."
"We see hundreds of injured seabirds at the GSPCA every year and many come in due to fishing line, netting and hooks that are discarded and the GSPCA would urge all those that do fish not to discard litter as it puts our wonderful wildlife at risk."
Geoff George Animal Collection Officer said "It is so sad when we are called out to animals and birds that are caught or injured by litter."
"From birds to hedgehogs we see so many horrendous incidents of litter injuring and even killing wildlife in Guernsey."
"The first 24 hours is always the hardest for injured wildlife and fingers crossed Stitch will pull through so he can be released back to where he belongs."
What you can do to help to help the animals of Guernsey
Protecting pets, farm animals and wildlife from harmful rubbish is straightforward – simply dispose of your waste responsibly.
- Recycle and reuse where you can
- Otherwise take your rubbish home and put it in a bin.
Everyday objects can become hazards to animals and birds
- Balloons - Once balloons burst, animals can mistake them for food and can choke. Avoid balloon releases, as the balloons can land anywhere, and cut used balloons into pieces before putting in the bin.
- Containers and cans- Attracted by leftovers, animals will forage inside and get their heads trapped. Larger animals may get their tongues caught or damaged by sharp edges. Animals such as cats, gulls, rats and dogs often rummage in rubbish bins. Clean cans and containers, drop lids inside cans, and cut containers in half or pinch cans shut. Try to recycle where possible.
- Elastic bands - These get caught around necks of small animals and beaks of birds. They can also be swallowed, causing an animal to choke. Whenever possible reuse bands, and cut them open before putting them in a bin.
- Fishing tackle - Line can get caught around legs, wings, necks and beaks, and hooks can pierce skin and muscle or be swallowed causing internal injuries. Every month the GSPCA have to help birds that have been caught and entangled.
- Take unwanted line home and cut it into small pieces before putting it in a bin.
- Wrap hooks in newspaper before putting in a bin.
- Glass - Bottles and jars break easily, leaving sharp pieces that can cause serious injury. Animals can get trapped in glass jars. Clean and then recycle glass at a bottle bank.
- Plastic bags - Animals such as hedgehogs can climb inside and suffocate, or eat them and choke. Tie a knot in all bags before disposing of them or, better still, reuse or recycle. Each bag takes hundreds of years to decompose and are not broken down once eaten so can kill more than one animal.
- Plastic can holders- Animals can get entangled, causing deep sores, wounds and choking. Always cut the loops before putting in a rubbish or recycling bin.
Please help keep Guernsey tidy and our animals safe.
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The Guillemot
The UK's coasts have many stretches of cliffs where seabirds breed such as the 950'000 pairs of Guillemots live and breed around the UK. They comes to land only to nest, spending the most of their life at sea, where like Dave and his friends are vulnerable to oil spills. Guillemots are dark brown and white, not as black as the similar Razorbill, it has a 'bridled' form with a white ring round the eye and stripe behind it. Their Latin name is Uria aalge and they are part of the Auks (Alcidae) family. In winter they are widespread around UK coasts but usually well offshore. However during bad weather such as gales they can be forced inland. They feed on fish and crustaceans and you are best to see them between May and July when they breed.
Here is a video of a guillemot release earlier this year.
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By post cheques payable to 'GSPCA' - GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey, GY6 8UD
Or by phone 01481 257261.
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