11. » Save our
Seabirds
Children from Fourlanesend Primary School are already running their
very own campaign to show our Government they care. Join them!!
12. Save our Seabirds!
Presentation by Jes Hirons
jesmh12@hotmail.com
Pictures by RSPB, Claire Wallerstein, Steve
Trewhella
Petitions
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/page/signup/sav
e-our-seabirds#petition..
http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Save_our_Sea
_Birds_Stop_dumping_polyisobutylene_into_our_
seas/
» Save our
Seabirds
Editor's Notes
Around Cornwall we are really lucky to have a vast array of wildlife. Because most of our county is surrounded by coast this includes many marine animals. These birds are especially adapted to spend most of their lives at sea, diving under the waves to catch fish for food.
Last week many birds were washed up covered in a mysterious sticky substance. It took scientists a long time to work out what it was. The birds were unable to fly because the sticky stuff glued their feathers and weighed them down. The birds were starving and most had already died. The substance is something called PIB and it is used to make engines run smoothly, When it gets into the sea it turns really sticky. Sometimes ships are allowed to wash out their tanks and the PIB goes into the sea. If a bird dives into the PIB it will get the chemical all over it. You can see in the pictures just how sticky it is!! Lots of birds died because a ship dumped the PIB into the sea, and only a few could be saved.
Most survivors were taken to the RSPCA West Hatch centre for rehabilitation before being released.
This is the second time this has happened this year! The RSPB have reported 4 PIB spills in recent years, all killing many, many birds. This raises the question; Why has this been allowed again??
We need to stop dumping PIB
These are only suggested ideas. It would be great if you have any other ideas for the children to express themselves. Remember that video and photographs are the best way to catch everyone's attention and record how the children feel about this campaign. Please think about inviting your local papers along or sending photos to them.
