Yesterday morning Conservation Officer Trevor Glass reported from the fishing vessel Edinburgh that the oil slick in Petrel Bay on Nightingale Island was still present. However, no more oil is escaping from the fore or aft sections of the wrecked Oliva. The aft section is now completely submerged.
A plan is being made to take up to a 1000 unoiled post-moult penguins, which have been penned so they cannot enter the sea and become oiled, from Inaccessible Island by ship several hours' sailing away and release them at sea. Since Northern Rockhopper Penguins do not return to their breeding islands post-moult until after winter they should then be able to avoid any oil drifting away from the islands. A decision in which direction to take the birds and how far away will be made in relation to the direction oil slicks from the wrecked Oliva have been moving. The fisheries patrol boat Wave Dancer is on standby to take two extra islanders over to join the Inaccessible team today. Environmental Advisor Estelle van der Merwe whio arrived on the salvage tug Smit Amandla a week ago will accompany them to advise on the operation to take the unoiled penguins out to sea on the Edinburgh.
A further 253 oiled penguins arrived from Nightingale at the Tristan rehabilitation centre yesterday evening via the Edinburgh's power boats, although heavy swells are continuing to hamper the collection and transfer operations. The rehabilitation team, led by Tristan Islander Dereck Rogers, fed more than 750 penguins yesterday. Fishing for penguin food has been taking place from the salvage tug and from the island barge Sandy Point Express. Trevor Glass returned with the penguins and will now be based on Tristan as the rehabilitation centre manager.
Ten more helpers joined the core team yesterday evening for training in handling and 'tubing' penguins. When penguins first arrive on Tristan they are dehydrated so are given an electrolyte solution via a tube and syringe.
The first 80 of the lightly oiled (less than 20%) penguins have been released into the island swimming pool. The pool had been partially drained and an access ramp built by Head of Plumbing Stanley Green and his team. The penguins took to the water immediately and were seen diving, splashing and later preening.
Marina Burns, the Administrator's wife, has joined the rehabilitation support team and is working closely with Tristan Conservation Department Clerk Kirsty Green to organise personnel for the penguin rehabilitation operation. This is a complex task given that most people on Tristan have several different jobs - as well as fitting in looking after their livestock and potato patches.
