Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue are warning people without wildlife experience to ask for help before acting, after their worst ever call out and what was described as a massacre of ducklings in Grimsby.
The volunteer rescue team were called at 11.30am on Thursday, April 15 after a woman was witnessed releasing very young ducklings without a mother duck into a section of the River Freshney known as ‘Green Bridge’.
Another wild mother duck was already on a killing spree, with six ducklings dead before the volunteers could even get in the water. A total of nine ducks were tragically killed.
Click or tap here to view the original image. | Photo: Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue
One duckling was saved by two local boys called Leyton and Mitchell, who managed to grab it when it was near the edge. That duckling is currently in a critical condition in an intensive care incubator.
Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue want this to incident to be a warning to others and said: “There were duckling bodies everywhere and we have never been witness to such an act of unintentional cruelty.
“Please, we beg, if you haven’t had experience with wildlife and you’re unsure contact a local rescue. Most vets will also have a contact for your local wildlife rescue team.
“This has been a horrific sight not only for our team, but the young children going past. We’re heart broken, sad, angry and devastated.”
It was a very busy day for the team who took 25 calls by 12pm on Thursday, with some referred onto one of their partners – Cherry Cottage Wildlife Rescue.
They were in the water for around two hours and on scene for even longer. It broke the hearts and morale of the whole team, who are all supporting each other and took a few hours off before returning to work again.
The woman who released them has since contacted the rescue saying she found them walking on the street. She tried to get the mother duck, but couldn’t, so she released them into the water and later told the team she feels heartbroken.
Volunteers from Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue spent two hours in the water.
Aaron Goss, who is one of the volunteers at Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue, told The Lincolnite this kind of incident can be common, especially if there isn’t a mother duck to look after her young, but that this could have been avoidable.
He said: “If you find ducklings or young animals without mothers and have never had any wildlife experience please contact a rescue, who will give free advice, and this can help avoid it from happening again.
“People shouldn’t interfere with things they don’t know. They may have good intentions, but they don’t understand that wildlife is a different kind of life to humans and that asking for help could save lives.”
One duckling survived, but was put on an intensive care incubator in a critical condition. | Photo: Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue
The full statement from Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue.
This month has also seen Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue save a fox who was minutes away from being killed and help with the emergency rescue of a seal pup.
As a volunteer rescue service, it does not get any funding aside from donations via fundraising to save wildlife and keep up with the regular food and vet bills.
The team are currently trying to fundraise for up to four intensive care incubators – make a donation here.
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We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a collision caused serious injuries to a 23-year-old man.
Just before 3.30pm yesterday (2 July), we received reports of a collision on Barholm Road in Tallington. It involved a grey BMW 335D estate, a blue BMW 116D and an orange KTM motorcycle.
The motorcycle rider, a 23-year-old man, sustained serious injuries during the collision and was taken to hospital.
If you witnessed the incident and are yet to get in touch with us, please do so. If you have any other information or dashcam footage available that may have captured the road along the A1175 at the time of the collision, get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 282 of 2 July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 282 of 2 July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
The 2022 Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards are open for applications, and Destination Lincolnshire giving you the rare chance to co-create your application with Nell Barrington, a tourism awards veteran, who has helped hundreds of businesses write winning applications over the last 15 years – including national VisitEngland winners.
The Tourism Awards Masterclass is taking place on Tuesday 12 July at 11am for one-hour online. Laura Freer, Head of Marketing at Destination Lincolnshire said: “This is a golden opportunity, after years of hard work and heartache, to get your business and team recognised and rewarded.
“A well written application is key to achieving a coveted place on this year’s shortlist, and I’d encourage all tourism and visitor economy businesses who are thinking of entering – whether they are seasoned at writing award applications or not – to join us for this exclusive masterclass.
“Nell Barrington has worked with us and VisitEngland on the founding application processes of these awards, and she is perfectly placed to assist in co-creating applications that you can be proud of. This is a great opportunity for business development too – whether you are shortlisted for an award or not – discovering how to effectively apply for awards and talk up your business adds another string to your bow.
“Booking is essential and places are limited to just 35 – so be quick! This year we’ve made our masterclass available to partners and also to those who we are yet to work with for free. Call it an added bonus, after two years away from the awards circuit.
The awards masterclass is focussed on the application process, and it will spell out what the judges are looking for. You’ll learn how to make your application stand out from the local competition, helping your chances of going through to the national VisitEngland Awards in 2023.”
There are fifteen categories open for nominations from visitors attraction, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and many more.
The deadline for nominations is July 29, with online judging starting on July 30 and mystery shopping from August 13. Finalists will be announced on Monday, August 15.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Engine Shed on October 21, and will be hosted by Lincs FM presenter, John Marshall.
The event is organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, to celebrate the best businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, alongside headline sponsors Lincoln College and Destination Lincolnshire.
We would also like to thank our other sponsors Visit Lincolnshire, Heart of Lincs, Duncan and Toplis and LNER, insight6 and EV Camel.