Puffin Oona Receives Care After Being Found 110 Miles Inland

A puffin, affectionately named Oona after a character from the animated series Puffin Rock, was recently found by a local resident in her Hereford garden, an astonishing 110 miles away from its coastal home in Pembrokeshire. After being brought to Vets for Pets, practice manager Elliot Goodwin took charge of her care, ensuring she recovered from her ordeal. Although Oona was scheduled for release on Wednesday, the veterinarians decided to postpone it due to concerns regarding the waterproofing of her feathers.

Mr. Goodwin emphasized the need to assess Oona's condition and allow her natural instincts to guide the rehabilitation process. He indicated that he remains optimistic about her recovery, suggesting it could take days to weeks rather than an extended period. On Wednesday, Oona was transported to the RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre, where she would receive specialized assessment and facilities to aid in her rehabilitation.

One of the primary challenges with rehabilitating seabirds like Oona is the potential damage to the waterproofing of their feathers. Even under careful treatment conditions, the transition to feeding her fish resulted in her feathers becoming less effective due to the nature of feeding and cleaning. While the Vets for Pets staff could provide some basic care, they lacked the swimming and preening facilities available at the RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre, which are crucial for assessing the functionality of her feathers.

The RSPCA West Hatch expressed their gratitude towards the Vets for Pets team for their dedication to Oona’s recovery. The staff will be monitoring her condition closely, looking for signs that indicate she is ready for release, such as proper feather waterproofing and weight gain. Initially, there was disbelief among the Vets for Pets staff about Oona being a puffin, as these birds are not typically found inland. However, once they confirmed her identity, it became clear that she had likely been carried off from her nesting area on one of the islands off the Welsh coast.

Puffins naturally tend to flock together, making Oona's solitary state a critical sign that she required immediate veterinary assistance. While she arrived in a weak and undernourished state, Oona has improved significantly thanks to the specialized care she has received, including a special nutritional formula developed by animal nutritionist Becky Bridges. Her recovery process continues as she prepares for her eventual return to the wild.