SEABIRDS and hedgehogs are among the animals which conservation experts say are most likely to have been impacted by Storm Ciarán.
And while there were warnings that some seal pups may be at risk of drowning, the news was better for Jersey’s puffins, which avoided the storm entirely.
Islanders are being urged to “keep an eye out for injured wildlife” and to contact the JSPCA if they come across animals, including stranded seals, disorientated birds or soaked-through hedgehogs.
Jersey’s co-ordinator for British Divers Marine Life Rescue said that there was “no doubt” that seal pups which were not old enough to survive independently “would wash up on our beaches”.
Donna de Gruchy explained that storms of this intensity created hazardous conditions, ultimately separating seal pups from their mothers and washing them ashore.
“The chances of seal pups surviving after washing up are really slim, and they are likely to be found drowned,” said Ms de Gruchy.
She explained that if Islanders came across a struggling seal pup or distressed marine mammal they should “stay back, never attempt to put them back in the water, keep dogs on leads and well away”.
Islanders encountering distressed marine mammals should contact the JSPCA or the BDMLR team, with Ms de Gruchy recommending using the What 3 Words app to obtain precise location information.
Cris Sellarés, the National Trust for Jersey’s project officer for Birds on the Edge, encouraged Islanders to “keep an eye out for injured or dead wildlife” as the weather improved and people started going outside.
She suggested looking in gardens, near windows, next to buildings and on beaches, where seabirds, seals or pups may be found.
In previous years, Islanders have found dead seabirds washed up on beaches. If this happens again, she said Islanders should contact the government’s animal health and welfare team if the bird was dead, and the JSPCA if it was alive. She added that puffins and razorbills, which only come to the Island to nest, were expected to be hundreds of miles away at this time of year and therefore unaffected by the conditions.
Other species, which came to Jersey for the winter, might not have been so lucky, she warned, saying: “It would definitely affect other seabirds. Some of them might be changing their feathers and might not be able to fly away from it.”
She added that she hoped such bids had found shelter in fields.
With huge numbers of trees coming down, Ms Sellarés warned that owls, bats and insects might also be affected.
“Trees support so much life,” she said.
The Jersey Hedgehog Preservation Group has recommended that Islanders keep any rescued hedgehogs at home in a box, along with a towel, water and dog or cat food. The charity can provide further guidance.
After the storm brought down several trees at Jersey Zoo, a spokesperson for the charity said that while all its animals were accounted for and being monitored, one of its elderly Chilean flamingos had died.
Three Golden Guernsey goats from aMaizin! Adventure Park escaped during the storm, as the winds damaged paddocks and fences.
Owner Kristina Le Feuvre sought help from the community to locate the missing animals – Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Ginger – and they were all found by lunchtime.
Meanwhile, Trevor – a horse – had a narrow escape in St John after a tree fell on his stables.
The JSPCA also reported yesterday morning that the storm had “caused quite a bit of carnage”, with a spokesperson adding that pets should be kept indoors and that music and toys could be used to create a calming environment.
The representative said that wild animals generally had “good instincts when bad weather is coming in so should naturally keep themselves safe”.
“Make sure you don’t put yourself in danger, and follow government advice to stay safe,” the animal charity added.
Some of the JSPCA’s buildings were damaged, forcing the charity to move some of its wildlife into alternative accommodation.
Several cats – including a grey and white feline called Toby from St Brelade, a grey tabby called Smokey from Trinity and a black cat called Toulouse from St Saviour – were also reported missing in the storm.
