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MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A juvenile seagull, whose foot was amputated owing to a fishing line injury, took his first steps at the Seabird and Penguin Rehabilitation Centre (Saprec) on Wednesday morning, 4 June, following the amputation.
Saprec founder Carol Walton said she had received a call from Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) at the Mossel Bay harbour and was told that a seagull with a partially amputated foot, which was hanging from a fishing line wrapped around his leg, had been found and safely captured.
Walton said she fetched the bird and arranged to have it taken to Hartenbos Animal Hospital, where his injury was treated and the foot completely amputated.
On Wednesday morning, the gull was taken to Saprec in Mossdustria to start his recovery process.
Walton said the gull was on a course of antibiotics for several days. This was because he had been putting a lot of pressure on his 'good' foot, which had caused it to be injured.
The seagull walks around the enclosure at Saprec. Video: Chelsea Pieterse
He would need medication for this and the swelling would need to go down.
Walton added that he was being kept in an enclosure with extremely soft sand to help the healing process and to help him find his balance.
She urged people again to call Saprec (082 364 3382) as soon as they see a seabird in distress.
The gull after the amputation. Photo: Chelsea Pieterse
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