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Over the last few days we’ve been highlighting the fact we have been helping a number of oiled birds rescued from our coastline.
We have just been informed by the Senior Environment Services Officer Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services and Harbour Master that a dog walker that has been to Pembroke/L’Ancresse beach has seen heavy oil deposits, some saucer sized around the central reef.
The States Beach Crew have been deployed but this does mean the numbers of oiled birds is highly likely to increase.
Earlier today a guillemot was rescued at Saints Bay completely covered in what appeared fresh oil.
From head to toe the birds body was completely soaked in the oil and the GSPCA rushed the bird to the vets where sadly they were unable to help the bird.
The GSPCA are asking islanders to be on the look out for other birds that may be affected from oil as it is rare for just one bird to found on the coast with such fresh oil.
Each winter especially after stormy weather the GSPCA often help oiled birds and the team are hoping this is just an isolated case.
Today marks 21 years since the Sea Empress disaster and next month on the 18th March marks 50 years since the Torrey Canyon disaster.
In 1996 GSPCA Shelter staff and volunteers were called on to help with one of the biggest oil disasters to hit the British shores.
When the Sea Empress ran a ground in Pembrokeshire on the 15th February over 72,000 tons of crude oil and 360 tons of heavy fuel poured into the sea in less than a week.
Tens of thousands of animals were effected and the RSPCA launched a massive rescue operation.
Inky is one very lucky stray Syrian Hamster.
Last Thursday a very surprised gentleman found a very oily Hamster in a catch pit when working on a car.
The Syrian Hamster that has been called Inky has had a good wash and is thankfully doing very well.
Inky is a stray Hamster so if you are missing one from the Bailiffs Cross area then the male, adult rodent could be yours.
Yvonne Chauvel Senior Animal Care Assistant said 'We often get oiled birds in at this time of year but it I can't remember getting an oiled Hamster in at the GSPCA before.'
The GSPCA are pleased to hear that the polluntant that killed and injured more than 4,000 birds, called polyisobutene (PIB) between Cornwall and Sussex, and on the Channel Islands can no longer be dumped at sea after a worldwide ban was agreed.
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has reclassified PIBs from 2014 which means ships will only be able to wash their tanks and dispose of all PIB residues while in port.
Oil spill training for wildlife organisations and those involved in helping to alleviate the effects on wildlife of a major oil pollution incident will take place at the Guernsey Society Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) as part of the States of Guernsey preparedness measures on Wednesday 11th September 2013.