2 Razorbills found doused in oil on an Island beach are on the road to recovery thanks to those at Monkey Haven.
The birds were found covered in oil on a beach in the south of the Island and were taken to Carisbrooke Vets, where they were checked over and washed several times to remove the harmful oil from their feathers.
After being successfully bathed, Monkey Haven was asked to rehabilitate them until their feathers were fully waterproof again and they were able to be released.
Razorbills are members of the Auk family – seabirds with long barrel-shaped bodies, short tails, wings and legs – like that of Puffins and Guillemots.
A spokesperson for Monkey Haven has said:
“The birds have been in our care for nearly 2 weeks now and we are pleased to report they are both doing great! They have good appetites and are loving the sand eels we’ve been serving up for them, purchased fresh from a local angling shop.
“They have been preening themselves in their water bath which helps stimulate the oil glands to waterproof their feathers, and they have both had their final checkups and pre-release wash/drying session at the vets. We’re really hopeful they will be fully waterproof and ready to be released in the next few days”.
How lovely to read such a positive story on Island Echo! Good luck you two lovely birds!
No mention on HOW they got oiled?