Waterlogged Puffin rescued by RNLI Lifeguard
RNLI Lifeguards at Filey made an unusual rescue recently when they went to help a waterlogged Puffin that was in danger of drowning off the North Yorkshire beach.
The young animal was being tossed about by waves and in grave danger of being knocked against the sea wall and drowning before RNLI Lifeguard Scott Brierley went to the rescue. Padding out on his rescue board and carrying a basket he managed to gather up the petrified puffin from the water and eventually bring it back to the shore and safety.
Once ashore the waterlogged animal was placed into the care of an animal welfare expert and is now recovering at a local bird sanctuary.
Senior Lifeguard Henry Baxter said: “We do unfortunately see a number of seabirds getting into trouble against the sea wall but this is our first Puffin - it’s really very unusual and we were glad we could help as it would probably not have survived without assistance.’
He urged members of the public never to try and rescue animals in distress at sea themselves.
He added: “Members of the public can be tempted to go into the water themselves if they see an animal in distress but we would always urge them not to go into the water and to dial the Coastguard on 999 who will be able to send help.”
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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