Two of four kingfishers rescued so far have died

Acres has received reports of other animals coated in oil and expects more casualties

- Taryn Ng

Four oil-coated collared kingfishers were rescued in the aftermath of the oil spill on June 14, but two of them have died.

The National Parks Board (NParks) and wildlife rescue group Acres each rescued two kingfishers, The Straits Times has learnt. Of the two birds that died, one was helped by NParks and the other by Acres.

The two rescued by NParks were sent to the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation for veterinary treatment and care, said the board’s group director Anna Wong.

She said that despite prompt veterinary care, one of the birds died.

“The survival rate for these birds is low even with prompt veterinary intervention due to stress and accidental ingestion of oil which is toxic to them,” she added.

One kingfisher under the care of Acres died on June 16, about 36 hours after it was rescued.

The team could not pinpoint the exact reasons for its death, but the bird had signs of dehydration, Acres co-chief executive Kalai Vanan Balakrishnan told ST.

As for the other bird that is recovering, Mr Kalai said it has only about a 30 per cent chance of survival.

Acres – or the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society – is expecting to receive more reports on wildlife casualties due to the oil slick, he said.

Already, the group has received reports about other animals, such as otters and monitor lizards, being covered in oil, but the rescue team have not been able to locate them.

Members of the public have also seen other oil-coated animals.

Mr Bernard Seah, a wildlife photographer and conservationist, spotted two – a lesser sand plover and a blacktip reef shark – at St John’s Island on June 16.