Babies of puffins are once more being hurled off cliffs in Iceland, and the question of the motivation behind this cruel act persists.
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In the heart of Iceland's Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands), a remarkable rescue operation is underway. The islands, home to the world's largest puffin colony, are witnessing a heroic effort by designated rescue teams and hundreds of volunteers each night.
The Atlantic puffin, a vulnerable species listed by the IUCN, faces a perilous journey during the chick fledging period each summer. As the nights start drawing in, puffling chicks, or baby puffins, begin to leave their nests and embark on a potentially treacherous journey to the sea.
Guided by the light of the Moon, these young puffins often find themselves drawn towards bright city lights, heading further inland instead. This is where the rescue teams come into action, scouring nearby towns and villages to scoop up these hapless pufflings and take them home.
Hafdis Björk Óskarsd, a rescuer, describes the experience of holding a puffling as feeling a warmth and being able to hear their heartbeat and breath. Despite the risks involved, Óskarsd considers the rescue work worth it, with the best feeling being saving one puffling.
The Westman Islands are a sanctuary for approximately 20% of the global puffin population, which arrives each spring/summer to mate and lay eggs. With around 830,000 breeding pairs, the islands are a spectacle of avian life.
The rescue work is physically demanding and risky, involving activities like going under cargoes, cars, and jumping in the harbour. However, the next morning, the rescued pufflings are gently thrown off a cliff to set them back on the right course.
Local volunteers and residents of the Vestmannaeyjar Islands have traditionally rescued thousands of Atlantic puffins during the chick fledging period each summer. The location where pufflings are released can be found on Google Maps as 'Beautiful Puffin and Shore View.'
Rescuers can scoop up as many as 10 pufflings a night during the peak of the season. Stranded pufflings can end up as easy prey for local predators if not rescued, making the efforts of these dedicated individuals all the more crucial.
The Atlantic puffin, with its distinctive black and white feathers and colourful beak, is a symbol of Iceland's unique natural beauty. The rescue work in the Westman Islands is a testament to the commitment of the local community to preserving this iconic species and ensuring its survival for future generations.
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