An oily few months!


Our biggest oil spill of the year was believed to have been caused by flood water which had upturned a barge on the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation canal near where it connects with the River Don, off Rawmarsh Lane in Rotherham. Oil may also have come from flooded abandoned cars too. Initial reports suggested 80 swans had been affected by the spillage but within a few days some had moved off, so the team were faced with the round up of around 60.


A team of Officers lead by Inspectors John Gibson and Sara Jordan were at the scene for almost a week chasing down healthy swans that had been covered in the oily substance, all to varying degrees.


If oil is not removed from waterbirds it reduces the natural waterproofing in their plumage, leaving them at risk of dying from hypothermia - so it was vital that the rescue team picked up the birds and transferred them to Stapeley Grange as quickly as possible so they could be assessed and washed.


The Stapeley team were quick to react to the call and within hours two rooms had been cleared out in preparation for incoming oiled


swans. A dirty room was used for all incoming swans and a clean room set up with heat lamps for those that had been washed and then needed time to dry off before being transferred to a pool area outside


Whilst a small number of swans were transferred across to RSPCA East Winch in Norfolk, 47 were transferred into Stapeley. Thankfully, other than needing a good wash (with fairy liquid) the majority of swans were fit and healthy. Sadly there were two swans that needed vet attention (for non-oil related issues) and were put to sleep.


Once the green light was given to return our our swans, we then started to coordinate their return. It took a few trips, a few vans and some volunteers but seeing such a large group returned home made all the hard work worth while.


The RSPCA would recommend anyone who sees pollution on water or land to call the Environment Agency 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60. Concerns for a wild animal that has come into contact with oil or other contaminants should be reported to the RSPCA? 999.


s 24-hour emergency line on 0300 1234


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