"Penguin" alert as oil slick strikes

The razorbill was found by dog walker Mark Grant who called the Worthing Herald, thinking the bird was a penguin.

When it was caught Mr Grant realised the bird was a razorbill, often mistaken for penguins, and Herald staff called Worthing and District Animal Rescue Service (WADARS).

The charity has rescued more than 25 oil-covered birds since Friday, between Southwick and Littlehampton. Most of the birds rescued have been guillemots.

The area coastguard was unsure where the oil was coming from, as there was no visible oil slick, but said it was a problem which occured every year during rough winter weather.

Our bird, nicknamed Pingu, was passed on to the RSPCA for cleaning and to have its stomach flushed.

Billy Elliott from WADARS said only one in 10 birds covered in oil survived.

He said when birds preened themselves they swallowed the oil, causing liver damage.

The birds have to be cleaned three or four times before the oil comes off their feathers.

Mr Elliott said: "Last week we unfortunately picked one up we think had been previously cleaned. It had liver damage and had to be put to sleep.

"It's a bit of a soul destroying job for us because we know the majority are going to have to be put down, but if we can get two birds through out of 20, it is worth it."