Last week at the GSPCA we issued a warning on waste and rubbish injuring animals, especially those at sea.
On Sunday the GSPCA were called out to an injured gannet at Port Soif.
Emma Trousdale from the GSPCA responded in the ambulance to rescue a gannet that had a fish hook through her eye.
Yvonne Chauvel Senior Animal Care Assistant said "We rescue and help animals 24 hours a day 7 days a week, but the gannet rescued on Sunday must have been in a great deal of pain and it is hard to say how long the fish hook had been through the eye."
"We called the severely injured gannet Ruby but sadly there was nothing we could do for her."
"It's been a hard year for sea birds with the awful weather at the start of 2014, but leaving waste that can injure animals and birds could easily be avoided if everyone cleaned up after themselves."
Steve Byrne, GSPCA Manager said "The injured gannet we rescued on Sunday is one of the most upsetting cases we have had in this year at the GSPCA as she had a hook through her eye."
"It is important that we all leave our beaches clean and tidy otherwise animals and birds lives can be affected and like poor Ruby even lost."
"If you would like to help support us in the work that we do then you can support our many events, donate online or even sponsor an animal pen at the Animal Shelter."
The below image is of an upsetting nature.
What you can do to help to help the animals of Guernsey
Protecting pets, farm animals and wildlife from harmful rubbish is straightforward – simply dispose of your waste responsibly.
- Recycle and reuse where you can
- Otherwise take your rubbish home and put it in a bin.
Everyday objects can become hazards to animals and birds
- Balloons - Once balloons burst, animals can mistake them for food and can choke. Avoid balloon releases, as the balloons can land anywhere, and cut used balloons into pieces before putting in the bin.
- Containers and cans- Attracted by leftovers, animals will forage inside and get their heads trapped. Larger animals may get their tongues caught or damaged by sharp edges. Animals such as cats, gulls, rats and dogs often rummage in rubbish bins. Clean cans and containers, drop lids inside cans, and cut containers in half or pinch cans shut. Try to recycle where possible.
- Elastic bands - These get caught around necks of small animals and beaks of birds. They can also be swallowed, causing an animal to choke. Whenever possible reuse bands, and cut them open before putting them in a bin.
- Fishing tackle - Line can get caught around legs, wings, necks and beaks, and hooks can pierce skin and muscle or be swallowed causing internal injuries. Every month the GSPCA have to help birds that have been caught and entangled.
- Take unwanted line home and cut it into small pieces before putting it in a bin.
- Wrap hooks in newspaper before putting in a bin.
- Glass - Bottles and jars break easily, leaving sharp pieces that can cause serious injury. Animals can get trapped in glass jars. Clean and then recycle glass at a bottle bank.
- Plastic bags - Animals such as hedgehogs can climb inside and suffocate, or eat them and choke. Tie a knot in all bags before disposing of them or, better still, reuse or recycle. Each bag takes hundreds of years to decompose and are not broken down once eaten so can kill more than one animal.
- Plastic can holders- Animals can get entangled, causing deep sores, wounds and choking. Always cut the loops before putting in a rubbish or recycling bin.
Please help keep Guernsey tidy and our animals safe.
Have you thought of sponsoring an animal pen at the GSPCA? For more details please click here.
Gannets
Adults gannets are large birds white are bright white with black wingtips. They are distinctively shaped with a long neck and long pointed beak, long pointed tail, and long pointed wings.
At sea they flap and then glide low over the water, often travelling in small groups. Gannets feed by flying high and circling before plunging into the sea. They breed in significant numbers at only a few localities and are on the Amber List species.
A good place to find about local gannets is the Alderney Wildlife Trust - please click here for details
To see the story about Tangle the gull please click here.
We are currently looking for teams to register and get involved with the Giant Animal Welfare Mascot It's a Knockout Race on Sunday 14th September. For details please click here.
To download a brochure all about the Animal Welfare Seafront Sunday please
Have you got a GSPCA Hoody, Polo Shirt, Sweat Shirt or T-shirt? If not get yours by clicking here.
We have lots of animals in need of homes. Could you help us advertise them? To download a the posters please click here. or to share them on social media please click here.
To find out about our Events, how to become a Member, Sponsor an Animal Pen, our Wish List, Corporate Sponsorship & Volunteering, , our New Build & Redevelopment Appeal and much more please click here.
There are many ways to support the work of the GSPCA and you can even donate online by clicking the paypal link below.
By post cheques payable to 'GSPCA' - GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey, GY6 8UD
Or by phone 01481 257261.
To find out more regarding our Angel Sponsorship Scheme please click here.
Have you liked us on facebook yet or joined us on twitter?
Post new comment