MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A group of hikers recently walked 10km with an injured bird, from just outside Dana Bay all the way to Boggomsbaai, in the hopes of finding help for the bird.
Local conservationist Fred Orban, who owns the Sandpiper Cottages in Boggomsbaai, said the group had been doing the Lighthouse Route of the Garden Walk Camino, and had been about 5km outside of Dana Bay when they came across an injured juvenile gannet on 29 March.
Orban told Mossel Bay Advertiser that whenever a touring group comes past Boggomsbaai, he tries to arrange an educational session with them regarding the wildlife in the area, what to look out for, and what to do should one come across an injured animal. He said it was no different with this group.
The hikers, whom he had already met, called him when they were about 5km from Dana Bay stating they had found what they believed was a gannet with an injured wing.
Orban told the group to cover its head with something like a towel or a shirt, as a bird becomes calmer when its eyes are covered.
He said once this has been done, a woman in the group then carried the bird in a pouch strapped around her waist for 10km until they reached Orban in Boggomsbaai.
Fred Orban and Evan Krause of the Seabird and Penguin Rehabilitation Centre with the injured gannet. Photo: Supplied
The Seabird and Penguin Rehabilitation Centre (Saprec) was contacted and looked after the bird until it could be taken to the Hartenbos Animal Hospital for treatment the following day.
Unfortunately, the bird had to be euthanised as its wing was so badly broken that there was no chance for rehabilitation. It had also been dying of starvation.
Orban said although the story didn’t necessarily have a happy ending, it was wonderful for him to see people taking an interest in nature and helping animals in need.
He urged those who go out walking along the coastline or on hiking routes to not only enjoy the beauty, but to also keep an eye out for anything out of place. This includes litter, injured animals, or anything that seems unusual.
“If you see something strange or an animal injured, report it,” he said.
People are encouraged to report injured animals immediately upon spotting them and not to handle or touch them.
Reports can be made to the Saprec on 082 364 3382, or Garden Route SPCA Mossel Bay branch on 044 693 0824 or the Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team on 072 227 4715.
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