22 Channel Islanders come together at the GSPCA to learn to become a BDMLR Marine Mammal Medic
Submitted by Steve on 11:24, 5th Sep, 2016 |
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From Jersey to Alderney, Vet Nurses to the Guernsey States Vet, GSPCA Volunteers and Staff, La Société Guernesiaise to Alderney Wildlife Trust, Alderney Animal Welfare Society to those interested from the Channel Islands all with a huge range of skills and backgrounds gathered in Guernsey on Saturday.
The 22 Channel Islanders all took part in the BDMLR Marine Mammal Medic course held at the GSPCA and Pembroke Bay.
The course was hosted in the morning at the GSPCA and run by Stephen Marsh British Divers Marine Life Rescue Operations Manager and Director Gavin Parsons British Divers Marine Life Rescue.
The morning included talks on the sea mammals that we would likely see around Guernsey and the British Isles and how to help rescue them.
Trainees arrived from 830am and a packed full morning was had at the Shelter. A few of the visitors got the chance of a quick tour of the Animal Shelter before the group and the trainers headed to Pembroke Bay for practical sessions to put into practice the skills learned in the class room.
Life sized models of two seal pups, a dolphin and a whale were used to aid the training and the trainees were shown the skills and care needed to help stranded of beached marine mammals have the best chance to make it back to where they belong in the sea.
The GSPCA have an actual pontoon kit specially designed to help in ever there was a beached whale and this was put into use during the whale section of the training.
A fantastic afternoon was had by all and from everyone at the GSPCA we would like to say a huge thank you to Sophie Veron for setting up the course with BDMLR and to Stephen Marsh British Divers Marine Life Rescue Operations Manager and Director Gavin Parsons British Divers Marine Life Rescue for running the course.
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said "I was one of the trainees on Saturday and it was a great day refreshing and learning new skills to help rescue marine mammals in need."
"It was a real pan island course and it was wonderful for so many skilled and keen individuals from professionals to those wishing to help to come together thanks to Sophie Veron who organised the course coming to Guernsey and to British Divers Marine Life Rescue for running it."
"Some of the GSPCA team have taken part in the course previously, but the last time it came to Guernsey was around 10 years ago."
"Everyone seemed to really enjoy the course and it was great to see so many take part and to know that across the Channel Islands there are those with the skills to help marine mammals in need."
"In the last 5 years the GSPCA has rescued 5 grey seal pups in Guernsey and one dolphin and of course there was the common seal pup recently rescued in Jersey and one in Alderney which shows the need of these skills to rescue these animals across the islands."
"It was our pleasure to host the course and we hope that everyone liked their small toy seal pups."
"A special thanks to Stephen and Gavin from BDMLR for running what was a great day."
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