Polluted gosling rescued
Conservationists rescue Egyptian gosling from Richards Bay oil spill
WHEN a small bird covered in thick crude oil came waddling onto the Casuarinas beach, members of conservation group Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife sprung into action to save the tiny creature.
Honorary Officers Jaco Bates and Walter Emmerson were astounded by what they first believed to be a sea duckling that had evidently lost its family and had miraculously escaped the thick oil slick to find solace at shore.
‘This little duckling just came wading out of the water where everyone was working on cleaning up the spill,’ said Jaco.
‘We then washed him with oil degreaser and realised it was in fact an Egyptian gosling.’
Local bird lover Maritza Kruger offered to take good care of it until it is old enough to be released back into the wild.
‘I’m still getting the remainder of the oil removed by using oil degreaser sensitive to animals, mixed with a little Sunlight liquid,’ said Maritza.
‘Otherwise, Daffy is doing great and we’ll continue to keep an eye out for his family.’
Meanwhile, bird conservation group SANCCOB (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds) arrived in Richards Bay on Friday to monitor the coastline for any visible threats or harm.
‘We’ve patrolled the beaches and surveyed the whole area during the weekend,’ SANCCOB Conservation Director Venessa Strauss said on Sunday.
‘And I’m pleased to say we have not yet observed or heard reports of any other birds in danger.’
