Oiled Puffin Taken In By JSPCA

The JSPCA is caring for a puffin for the first time since 2014.

The sea bird was found covered in oil at St Ouen's Bay.

Other than oil contamination on its feathers, and some feet ulcers, it appears to be in good health.

The puffin will now be housed in the animal charity's Oiled Bird Unit as part of its rehab.

"This puffin will now go through our oiled bird protocol with our trained Clinic staff and will join the one razorbill and two guillemots also currently in our care due to being oiled. 

We are hoping that this puffin, along with the other oiled sea birds in our care, pulls through.

The stress alone of being in captivity and being bathed to remove the oil can be enough to kill them. This is why we house these birds in our specific Oiled Bird Unit so they have the space and quiet to rehabilitate."

The JSPCA has cared for a number of oiled seabirds in recent years, with large patches of the substance being churned up during strong winds and bad weather.

Anyone who can donate sand eels is urged to contact the charity.