Four Oil-Coated Collared Kingfishers Have Been Res..

𝗢𝗜𝗟 𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗟𝗟 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗨𝗘𝗦: 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗦 𝗕𝗘𝗬𝗢𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗢𝗜𝗟 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗢𝗩𝗔𝗟

Four oil-coated collared kingfishers have been rescued in the aftermath of the oil spill on June 14, although two have died. At ACRES, the first rescued kingfisher died on June 16, about 36 hours after it was rescued. The other is on the road to recovery, but Mr Kalai said he thinks the bird only has about a 30 percent chance of survival.

ACRES is also expecting to receive more reports about wildlife casualties of the oil slick that happened on June 14, said Mr Kalai. Already, the wildlife rescue group has received reports about other animals, such as otters and monitor lizards, being covered in oil, but were unable to locate the animal when the rescue team arrived. The impact of oil slicks on birds is larger than for other animals as it impacts their ability to move, said Mr Kalai. The process of cleaning the oil off an animal can also be stress-inducing for the creature, he said. Currently, the bird is well enough to be eating the worms fed to it, but Mr Kalai said it still has a long road to recovery before it can take flight again.

He said that in 2023, ACRES rescued another kingfisher from a glue trap. The glue also compromised the bird’s ability to take flight, and it took a year after the glue was removed before the kingfisher could finally be released back into the wild.

Mr Kalai added that people who spot oil-coated animals should not attempt to clean them on their own.

“You also need a good environment, a good team of vets, and a plan for the process of cleaning. Removing the oil is just 50 percent of the work, the other 50 percent is a lot of time and recovery for the animals,” Mr Kalai said.

Full article here: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/oil-spill-incident-four-kingfishers-rescued-so-far-two-have-died

#OilSpill #Singapore #WildlifeRescue

Source: https://www.facebook.com/625160822979205/posts/8706227417663..

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ACRES

ACRES (Animal Concerns Research & Education Society) is a pioneering Singapore-based charity and Institution of Public Character, founded by Singaporeans in 2001 with the aim of promoting animal welfare.

ACRES has six focus areas: Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, Wildlife Crime Investigation, Zoo Animal Welfare, Humane Education, Community Outreach and Promoting Cruelty-Free Living.

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