Coast KZN

State of the Coast: KZN
State of the Coast: KZN

State of the Coast: KwaZulu-Natal Chapter 1: Introduction & Background Chapter 2: Overarching Drivers Chapter 3: Climate Variability
Chapter 4: Coastal Environment Chapter 5: Estuarine Environment Chapter 6: Marine Environment Chapter 7: Human Environment Chapter 8: Economic Environment
Chapter 9: Governance Environment Chapter 10: Conclusions
The Profile of the KZN Coast
The Profile of the KZN Coast

Ugu Lwethu- Our Coast Defining the Coastal Zone The Physical and Coastal Environment Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
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Pressures and Threats Management of the Coastal and Marine Environments Understanding our Coast
Coastal access
Coastal access

Access RoutesBoat Launch SitesThe Human DimensionCoastal Access: Stats & Facts
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Estuaries

What is an Estuary? Know your Estuaries Estuary Health and Conservation KZN Estuary Observer Programme
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Recreation
Recreation

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Coastal risk and vulnerability
Coastal risk and vulnerability

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Coastal issues
Coastal issues

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21 Sep 2020

Injured gull found on Winkle Beach

Earl Baillache (South Coast Sun) Picture: CROW staff suspect the gull be infected with botulism.

A kelp gull is being treated at the Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) in Yellowwood Park after it was found lying next to its dead parent on Winklespruit Beach on Wednesday, 16 September. “At just under a year old, the gull is very lethargic and seems almost paralysed. Our nurses suspect it might be ill with botulism, a disease where the patient is filled with toxins that have paralytic effects – it also occurs in humans but it is rare,” said CROW communications officer, Alex Kogl.

“The toxic Clostridium botulinum can be found in certain foods and it is suspected this gull might have gotten it after feeding from a dump site or eating rotten human food. Even though gulls are scavengers and have strong stomachs, younger gulls are still more susceptible and being fed by humans only makes them more vulnerable.” Kogl said treatment for botulism is the same as for poisonings – the patient is immediately given an active charcoal solution through a tube and then given successive dosages afterwards. Charcoal binds up harmful toxins in the body and flushes it out of the system.

“Unfortunately, it also makes it impossible to absorb food and medicine through the stomach, so the gull will only be fed intravenously until his charcoal treatment is over. We’re hoping he makes an improvement soon and he will fare better than his parent.”

CROW is an NGO based in Yellowwood Park that rescues, rehabilitates and releases injured, orphaned or displaced wild animals. To support the good work it does, use the following bank details to make a donation: CROW, FNB, account number: 50770230859, branch Code: 222126, Swift/Bic code: FIRNZAJJ.

 

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