RSPCA urges public to keep an eye out for wildlife after pond polluted

THE RSPCA is urging the public to keep an eye out for waterbirds which may have been impacted by a pollution spill in Newton-le-Willows. It is believed the substance contaminated the park pond at the end of last month and since then many fish have died, as well as a heron. The RSPCA 1st received a report, on 31 March 2021, and has been liaising with the Environment Agency to try and find out what the substance is and how it got into the water. Now the animal welfare charity is urging the local community to keep an eye out for any sick or injured animals such as heron, swans or ducks that may have come into contact with the contaminate and contact the RSPCA for help on:- 03001234999.

Inspector Caren Goodman James, who continues to monitor the situation, said:- "We were really sad to learn that lots of fish and a heron have already died, we suspect as a result of the pollutant. We have heard locally that it is a detergent but this is yet to be confirmed. We know that members of the community are checking and feeding the waterbirds at the park but we'd also ask members of the public in the wider area to please keep an eye out for waterbirds and any other animals that may have been affected and to call us on our helpline if there is an animal in need. We'd also like to remind dog walkers to keep their dogs on a lead in the area to avoid them from drinking from the water. We have checked the site recently and the animals seem healthy at the moment, but we will continue to monitor the situation."

The RSPCA would recommend anyone who sees pollution on water or land to call the Environment Agency 24 hour incident hotline on:- 0800807060. For more advice on what to do if you find a wild animal in need of help, please visit the RSPCA's website.