|
WA
Seabird Rescue, a wildlife group in Western Australia, received
a call to retrieve a large seabird which had washed ashore at
Warnbro, which is 50km's south of Perth, between Rockingham and
Mandurah. The reasons for his rescue were due to exhaustion, most
probably as a result of the aftermath of cyclone Darryl.
Volunteer
Marg Larner discovered a very large, exhausted seabird wearing
a band from the University of Capetown, some 6,000 kilometres
across the Indian Ocean.
Marg's
search of the Australian Museum's website and a phone call to
the National Banding Centre in Canberra confirmed the bird as
a juvenile Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans).
The Wandering Albatross has the largest wingspan of any bird,
measuring almost 3.5 metres and a body length up to 1.35 metres.
The Wandering Albatross has a long hooked bill, large webbed feet,
with a weight range of between 8 - 12kg. These birds can sometimes
spend several months in the air without ever touching land. Their
preferred food is squid and fish, however they are often seen
scavenging scraps from fishing boats.
Pairs
mate for life and breed every two years, usually on subantarctic
islands in early November. The nest is a mound of mud and vegetation
on an exposed ridge near the sea. The single egg hatches after
two months and the chick remains in the nest for around 9 months.
Parents will take turns to sit on the nest while the chick is
young and return with food. Later, both adults hunt for food and
visit the chick at irregular intervals.
"It is extremely rewarding and a real privilege to be called to
a rescue and discover a magnificent seabird such as this" Marg
said.
"Our visitor is in good health and WA Seabird Rescue volunteers
are hand feeding her twice daily."
Volunteers from the Mandurah Water Rescue Group took Marg out
to sea recently to release the Wandering Albatross (pictured).
The
Albatross' Care - written by Marg Larner.
After
receiving a call about a large sea bird needing to be rescued,
this majestic bird was found on the beach sitting quietly amongst
seaweed heaps. It was just looking around, not at all distressed.
After
getting the bird home I was able to properly investigate him and
noticed that he was dehydrated. Rehydration was given via Spark,
an electrolyte fluid often used for sea birds.
Once
the bird was settled, he was fed pilchards, octopus and squid
cut in thin slices. Sea tabs were added to his meal, which replace
the vitamins lost in the freezing process of fish. It took 2 people
to feed him but he didn't struggle, although he was placed securely
in a canvas sling to protect his feathers from our hands and to
reduce oil contamination.
Care was taken to avoid his trachea while feeding, which was huge
and easily visible once bill was opened wide. If you don't open
the bill wide it would be very easy to put the fish down his airway
- not good!!
A
saltwater pool was in his holding area. He
was hosed
down daily to encourage preening and to maintain water proofing.
When
the albatross came into care he weighed only 7.5kg. His weight
was 8kg on release. He was in care for a total of 5 days.
Mandurah
Sea Rescue team, in their magnificent new rescue boat, helped
me release the albatross out to sea. After
returning to the water, the albatross floated and preened - really
good signs of a healthy bird. We
left him flapping his wings and lifting off the water, amongst
a flock of shearwaters.....
What
a wonderful experience to be able to care for - and successfully
release - such a magnificent bird.
Some
interesting information on Marg's albatross
4the
albatross had been banded on Marion Island, in the South Indian
Ocean, South Africa
4Marion
Island is part of the Prince Edward Group of Islands, 1800 kms
South East of Cape Town.
4the
albatross was banded by the South African Bird Ringing Unit on
the 9th of September 2005;
4it
had been banded as a nestling;
4in
four months and twenty-three days the bird had flown 6590km's;
4after
rehabilitation the albatross was released approximately 20 nautical
miles off Mandurah.
Where
do you think he'll turn up next?
this
information is from the Department of Environment and Heritage
-
Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme.
|
