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| Seabird oil deaths: 19 species washed up in PIB pollutant | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| More than 1,000 birds of almost 20 species have been washed up covered in a sticky substance during the last fortnight, according to a charity. | More than 1,000 birds of almost 20 species have been washed up covered in a sticky substance during the last fortnight, according to a charity. |
| The oil additive polyisobutene (PIB) has killed the birds off the coast of Devon, Cornwall and Dorset since 10 April , the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) said. | The oil additive polyisobutene (PIB) has killed the birds off the coast of Devon, Cornwall and Dorset since 10 April , the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) said. |
| More than 90% of the birds affected by the substance have been guillemots. | More than 90% of the birds affected by the substance have been guillemots. |
| The government said discharges by ships were being investigated. | The government said discharges by ships were being investigated. |
| 'Global responsibility' | 'Global responsibility' |
| Last week, the RSPB said eight species had been affected but on Monday, after it had "collated reports and cross referenced information", the number had increased to 19. | |
| As well as guillemots, several razorbills, gannets, fulmars and puffins have been found covered in PIB. | As well as guillemots, several razorbills, gannets, fulmars and puffins have been found covered in PIB. |
| The charity said individual reports of 14 other species had also been made, including a Manx shearwater. | |
| Peter Exley, from the RSPB, said: "The UK has 90% of the breeding population of Manx shearwaters, we have a global responsibility." | Peter Exley, from the RSPB, said: "The UK has 90% of the breeding population of Manx shearwaters, we have a global responsibility." |
| Mr Exley added that the birds found washed up were a small percentage of those affected. | Mr Exley added that the birds found washed up were a small percentage of those affected. |
| Almost 250 live birds have been taken into care by the RSPCA and the South Devon Seabird Trust since 10 April. | Almost 250 live birds have been taken into care by the RSPCA and the South Devon Seabird Trust since 10 April. |
| Currently, PIB - which is used by ships to make their engines work more efficiently - can be released legally under certain conditions. | Currently, PIB - which is used by ships to make their engines work more efficiently - can be released legally under certain conditions. |
| In February, the substance was found to be the cause of debilitating more than 300 birds along the south coast. | In February, the substance was found to be the cause of debilitating more than 300 birds along the south coast. |
| Mr Exley said the RSPB did not know why more birds had been affected, but more species would be closer to shore as they were returning to their breeding sites. | Mr Exley said the RSPB did not know why more birds had been affected, but more species would be closer to shore as they were returning to their breeding sites. |
| However, he added it could just be a "much bigger spill". | However, he added it could just be a "much bigger spill". |
| The charity has called for PIB to be reclassified and discharges of the substance to be outlawed. | The charity has called for PIB to be reclassified and discharges of the substance to be outlawed. |
| The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said it was trying to determine the source of the latest incident but ended inquiries into the first discharge, admitting it was "highly unlikely" the ship could be found. | The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said it was trying to determine the source of the latest incident but ended inquiries into the first discharge, admitting it was "highly unlikely" the ship could be found. |
| It added that every effort was being made to determine the source. | It added that every effort was being made to determine the source. |