Rescued Eiders Up And Away

by IFAW (www.ifaw.org)

The first Eider Ducks were released back into the wild on February 12 following a rescue operation by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) at the oil spill caused by the capsizing of the bulk carrier Rocknes off Bergen, Norway.

The three Eiders were set free in a nature reserve on the island of Askoy, near Bergen, signalling the start of a series of releases of the oiled seabirds that have been cleaned and rehabilitated at a rehabilitation centre set up by IFAW's Emergency Relief Team.

The ship went aground on January 19 with the loss of 18 members of the crew. Following the tragedy an estimated 450 tons of marine fuel leaked from the wreck oiling seabirds over more than15 kilometres of fjords northwest of Bergen.

Paul Kelway, who manages the team, said, "This first release of Eiders comes after several weeks of the rescue operation and now we will be releasing birds every few days."

IFAW's team, which includes experienced oiled wildlife responders from IBRRC (International Bird Rescue Research Center) and other wildlife rehabilitators and veterinarians from around the world, is working with a coalition of Norwegian wildlife groups called 'Action Clean Bird'.

More than 120 birds have so far been cared for at the centre, which is in an unused fish processing plant on the island of Askoy. When they arrive vets examine the birds and take blood samples. Typically they are suffering from hypothermia and dehydration and need to be tube fed fluids.

The intricate washing process takes place after a couple of days when the birds have recovered enough strength. Finally they need to be put in recovery pools to regain their waterproofing before they can be released.

"It is round the clock work for the team and the many local volunteers who are helping, but it's all worthwhile when you see the birds released back into the wild again," said Kelway. "It has also provided us with a chance to train Norwegian vets and members of wildlife groups so that they can help at any future oil spills here."

"In addition we hope the Norwegian government will see that this kind of rescue operation can be mounted and can be successful," he said.

© 2004 Animal News Center, Inc.