Latest news with #KellyHuitson
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bird's death leads to warning of pollution event
Wildlife experts have warned of a possible pollution event in Alderney after a bird was poisoned by a toxic substance. An islander found a razorbill stranded on Longis Beach covered with a clear and sticky substance and reported it to Alderney Wildlife Trust (AWT). Veterinary nurse Kelly Huitson of Alderney Animal Welfare Society said despite immediate treatment, the bird died "most likely due to toxic shock from ingesting the substance as he preened". The veterinary report of fouling has prompted AWT staff and volunteers to monitor beaches for stranded wildlife and signs of pollution. Warning: This story contains an image some readers may find upsetting In 2013 a form of synthetic rubber called polyisobutylenes (PIBs) was discharged into the English Channel and led to the death of thousands of seabirds. A spokesperson for the AWT said: "Whilst the substance fouling Roy the razorbill has not been identified, it is similar to PIB." They asked the community to "remain vigilant in case the contaminant is part of a larger pollution event". Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to Plastic 'risks 8,000 island gannet nests' Alderney Puffin nests almost trebled since 2005 Seabird deaths 'worst' PIB spill Call for bird pollutant review Alderney Animal Welfare Society - Facebook Alderney Wildlife Trust
BBC News
28-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Bird's death leads to warning of pollution event
Wildlife experts have warned of a possible pollution event in Alderney after a bird was poisoned by a toxic islander found a razorbill stranded on Longis Beach covered with a clear and sticky substance and reported it to Alderney Wildlife Trust (AWT).Veterinary nurse Kelly Huitson of Alderney Animal Welfare Society said despite immediate treatment, the bird died "most likely due to toxic shock from ingesting the substance as he preened".The veterinary report of fouling has prompted AWT staff and volunteers to monitor beaches for stranded wildlife and signs of pollution. Warning: This story contains an image some readers may find upsetting In 2013 a form of synthetic rubber called polyisobutylenes (PIBs) was discharged into the English Channel and led to the death of thousands of seabirds. A spokesperson for the AWT said: "Whilst the substance fouling Roy the razorbill has not been identified, it is similar to PIB."They asked the community to "remain vigilant in case the contaminant is part of a larger pollution event".
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Good news' as mystery hedgehog illness ruled out
Wildlife experts say there is "good news" after the possibility of a mystery hedgehog illness in Alderney is ruled out. In November, Kelly Huitson, a registered veterinary nurse with Alderney Animal Welfare Society, said she took care of a "worryingly large number" of very sick hedgehogs. The charity had asked islanders to help them collect faecal samples for analysis and the data has shown the illnesses had been caused by parasites - rather than a mystery illness. Ms Huitson said: "This is actually really good news for us because it means we don't have any mystery illness we had been missing." Through the autumn months an increasing number of hedgehogs had been found with a significant number of ticks along with breathing, neurological, skin and insufficient weight problems. Ms Huitson said: "As we suspected, everything does point to an incredibly high parasite burden, likely exacerbated by the wet weather, as similar results have been seen in the southern UK around the same time period. "Now we can adapt our treatment protocols to hopefully care for our wildlife islanders much more effectively," she added. She said the States veterinary officer, Vale Wildlife Hospital in Gloucestershire and three laboratories in the UK had worked on the data from the samples collected by Alderney residents. The blonde hedgehogs are only found on Alderney and the Scottish island North Ronaldsay, Ms Huitson said. The increase in number of parasites prompted Ms Huitson to advise members of the public not to touch hedgehogs "unless absolutely necessary". If it was necessary they should use disposable gloves or a towel and wash their hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap to prevent cross infections, she said. Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to Appeal to help identify mystery hedgehog illness How are warmer winters affecting hedgehogs? Rising number of sick hedgehogs in Alderney Alderney Animal Welfare Society - Facebook
BBC News
16-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
'Good news' as mystery hedgehog illness ruled out in Alderney
Wildlife experts say there is "good news" after the possibility of a mystery hedgehog illness in Alderney is ruled November, Kelly Huitson, a registered veterinary nurse with Alderney Animal Welfare Society, said she took care of a "worryingly large number" of very sick charity had asked islanders to help them collect faecal samples for analysis and the data has shown the illnesses had been caused by parasites - rather than a mystery Huitson said: "This is actually really good news for us because it means we don't have any mystery illness we had been missing." Through the autumn months an increasing number of hedgehogs had been found with a significant number of ticks along with breathing, neurological, skin and insufficient weight Huitson said: "As we suspected, everything does point to an incredibly high parasite burden, likely exacerbated by the wet weather, as similar results have been seen in the southern UK around the same time period."Now we can adapt our treatment protocols to hopefully care for our wildlife islanders much more effectively," she said the States veterinary officer, Vale Wildlife Hospital in Gloucestershire and three laboratories in the UK had worked on the data from the samples collected by Alderney blonde hedgehogs are only found on Alderney and the Scottish island North Ronaldsay, Ms Huitson said. The increase in number of parasites prompted Ms Huitson to advise members of the public not to touch hedgehogs "unless absolutely necessary".If it was necessary they should use disposable gloves or a towel and wash their hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap to prevent cross infections, she said.
