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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Seabird deaths: Numbers rise on Dorset coast | Seabird deaths: Numbers rise on Dorset coast |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The number of seabirds found dead after being covered in a sticky, oily substance on the Dorset coast is continuing to rise. | The number of seabirds found dead after being covered in a sticky, oily substance on the Dorset coast is continuing to rise. |
| At Chesil Beach on Friday 200 birds were found dead, another 162 were rescued by the RSPCA. | At Chesil Beach on Friday 200 birds were found dead, another 162 were rescued by the RSPCA. |
| The RSPB said it was a large increase on the previous day when around 100 were rescued and 15 were found dead. | The RSPB said it was a large increase on the previous day when around 100 were rescued and 15 were found dead. |
| Thousands of seabirds have been washed to shore along the south coast between Cornwall and West Sussex. | Thousands of seabirds have been washed to shore along the south coast between Cornwall and West Sussex. |
| The glue-like substance which coats the birds' feathers has been identified as a refined mineral oil by scientists at the Environment Agency. | The glue-like substance which coats the birds' feathers has been identified as a refined mineral oil by scientists at the Environment Agency. |
| 'Shame the people' | 'Shame the people' |
| The oil, which is a colourless, odourless substance and is related to petroleum jelly, may have been discharged into the sea accidentally or deliberately. | The oil, which is a colourless, odourless substance and is related to petroleum jelly, may have been discharged into the sea accidentally or deliberately. |
| Tony Whitehead of the RSPB said: "Where it came from we don't know. We need to do a lot more testing on this substance to try and trace it back to its source. | Tony Whitehead of the RSPB said: "Where it came from we don't know. We need to do a lot more testing on this substance to try and trace it back to its source. |
| "There are people speculating it could be from a ship, that's possible, but we just don't know yet. | "There are people speculating it could be from a ship, that's possible, but we just don't know yet. |
| "We need to look at what's happened and, if appropriate, take legal action and also frankly to shame the people." | "We need to look at what's happened and, if appropriate, take legal action and also frankly to shame the people." |
| Wildlife staff are expecting to see more guillemots and razorbills come ashore over the weekend. | Wildlife staff are expecting to see more guillemots and razorbills come ashore over the weekend. |
| But members of the public are being warned not to try and catch sick seabirds. | But members of the public are being warned not to try and catch sick seabirds. |
| 'Emaciated' | 'Emaciated' |
| Mr Whitehead added: "Please don't try and catch them. | Mr Whitehead added: "Please don't try and catch them. |
| "The reason for that is you might scare the birds back into the sea. A lot of these birds are getting very weak, very emaciated now, they need to be in proper hands. | "The reason for that is you might scare the birds back into the sea. A lot of these birds are getting very weak, very emaciated now, they need to be in proper hands. |
| "Call the RSPCA and they can arrange collection and get them to the wildlife hospital." | "Call the RSPCA and they can arrange collection and get them to the wildlife hospital." |
| The RSPCA is treating the birds at the West Hatch Animal Centre in Taunton using margarine and washing up liquid to clean the substance from their feathers. | The RSPCA is treating the birds at the West Hatch Animal Centre in Taunton using margarine and washing up liquid to clean the substance from their feathers. |
| Peter Venn, manager at West Hatch, said: "What we are hearing are reports of birds showing up on the Sussex coast, so that may mean that the weather is pushing them more easterly. | Peter Venn, manager at West Hatch, said: "What we are hearing are reports of birds showing up on the Sussex coast, so that may mean that the weather is pushing them more easterly. |
| "Everything is certainly not over by any means. There were quite a lot of birds dead in the water this morning. | "Everything is certainly not over by any means. There were quite a lot of birds dead in the water this morning. |
| "What we don't know is what is still out there." | "What we don't know is what is still out there." |
| Numbers of dead birds are as yet unclear. | Numbers of dead birds are as yet unclear. |
| A coastguard plane has been searching the sea between Dover and the Isles of Scilly for the source of the pollution. | |
| Are you in the area? Send us your eye witness accounts using the form below | Are you in the area? Send us your eye witness accounts using the form below |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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