Animal casualties on the increase at Brooklands lake
Worthing Borough Council confirmed on Wednesday algae levels at Brooklands lake, in East Worthing, were ‘low risk’, allowing the public to enjoy the lake once again.
But on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday, Worthing and District Animal Rescue Service rescued three cygnets, suspected to be suffering from symptoms consistent with algae poisoning. The first cygnet later died.
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Hide AdWADARS senior animal rescue officer Billy Elliot said: “My feeling is that putting the boats back on the lake isn’t a good idea when we are still rescuing animals out of the lake.
“When the water is choppy, the algae sinks back to the bottom. From my experience, it doesn’t mean to say it is not there.”
Although it can only be done in extreme circumstances, WADARS is consulting with other organisations to potentially move the rest of the family of swans living on the lake to a safer location.
“It’s life or death now,” he added.
For the full story, see the Worthing Herald, out Thursday, July 24.