A Macclesfield veterinary practice recently welcomed a rather 'unusual' patient.

The team at Wright & Morten Vets in Lyme Green were presented with a fresh challenge when a northern gannet was brought into the clinic.

The juvenile seabird had been blown off course, leaving him completely exhausted and barely able to move.

A staff member said: "Our team at Wright & Morten had a very unusual and incredibly cool patient brought into the clinic - a juvenile northern gannet!

"These magnificent creatures are pelagic seabirds, meaning they spend almost their entire lives out at open sea, diving for fish from spectacular heights.

"However, they are built exclusively for ocean winds and cliffs. Because they need high winds or a long running start on water to take off, they are physically unable to get airborne once they touch down on flat ground like roads.

"During autumn migrations, strong winds frequently blow young, inexperienced gannets off course and inland. When this juvenile arrived, he was completely stranded, exhausted, and barely moving."

They continued: "Our veterinary team immediately stepped in to help. We let him settle quietly for a few hours with vital fluids to de-stress before carrying out full-body X-rays to check for any hidden injuries from his crash-landing.

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"We are absolutely thrilled to report no fractures or injuries were found! He was just incredibly weak from his unexpected detour to Cheshire.

"The change in him overnight was amazing. After a safe place to rest and some crucial rehydration, he went from completely immobile to actively walking all around our exotics ward the next day, full of attitude and spirit! Because gannets possess highly powerful, spear-like beaks and a strong defence reflex, our team had to stay extra alert once he got his strength back!

"Once he was fully stabilized and rested, he was driven down to the specialist team at RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre. They have the dedicated marine facilities, deep-water pools, and feather waterproofing management needed to build his strength back up for a successful release back to the coast."

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