One Slick Bird! Pigeon Rescued And Receiving Care After Landing In Oil

A pigeon had to be rescued after landing in a vat of oil in Merthyr Tydfil. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The used cold cooking oil was in an outside bin at a restaurant at Rhydycar and when the lid was taken off momentarily, the pigeon flew in and got himself into trouble on Friday (23 September). ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

RSPCA inspector Gemma Cooper said: “This poor pigeon got himself into a bit of mischief, but thankfully staff at the restaurant were quick to react and managed to get the pigeon safely out otherwise he would have certainly drowned. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“He was confined safely outside while I made my way over to collect him. He was completely covered in oil. He looked like one slick pigeon!” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The pigeon was first taken to Merthyr Tydfil Veterinary Clinic for a vet check up, and then was taken to Gower Bird Hospital to be cleaned up and rehabilitated. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Inspector Cooper said: “He needed a couple of specialised baths and is recovering well after his ordeal. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Oil can be quite damaging to birds – it damages their plumage so affecting their ability to stay warm and dry, but it is expected he will make a full recovery and when ready he will be released back into the wild.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​