Swan and ducks returned to Dudley's Bumble Hole lake after diesel spill
A swan and five ducks have been released back to a Black Country lake – after they were rescued following an oil spill.
They were sent to Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Nantwich, Cheshire, where they were carefully cleaned using washing up liquid to get rid of the toxic substance.
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 is vital that they are treated as soon as possible.
This week, a swan and five ducks had recovered sufficiently and were released back to Bumble Hole which is now free from pollutants. Three coots have also been returned to the wild and it is hoped more birds will be returned to their home in the next few weeks.
Animal rescuer RSPCA inspector Boris Lasserre said: “This was the worst oil spill I have ever seen. It affected a lot of the birds very badly, with many of them collapsed and hypothermic.
“Fortunately a team of local volunteers organised themselves into rescue groups and helped the RSPCA to help save as many of the birds as we could.
“Sadly five ducks and a goose did not recover but I am delighted that the rest have been returned to full health in our care.
“It is always a nice part of the job to be able to release rehabilitated wildlife back to their natural habitat.”
Dudley Council and Severn Trent Water were working together to find the source of the spillage which happened on December 29. More than £25,000 was spent cleaning up the lake after it became polluted with diesel.
Small fish were killed as a result of the spillage, which is believed to be mainly red diesel with traces of cooking oil. It is believed to have come through the surface water drainage system and a culvert into the pool.
Contractors Veolia and Aqua Force worked on behalf of the council and with nature reserve volunteers to contain the diesel and clear it.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Dudley Council Plus by emailing dudleycouncilplus@dudley.gov.uk or calling 0300 555 2345.
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’s emergency line on 0300 1234 999.
