Puffling Patrol: Das süßeste Rettungsteam der Welt im Einsatz

Summary

In Iceland's Westman Islands, a local tradition known as the 'Puffling Patrol' sees families and volunteers rescuing young puffins that become disoriented by streetlights during their first journey to sea. Led by generations of locals like Sandra and Bergl, the patrol involves nighttime searches to save the pufflings, which are then released back into the wild. The community's commitment to this unique conservation effort not only helps protect the puffin population but also strengthens bonds between residents, nature, and future generations.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Puffin Patrol is an annual rescue mission on the Westman Islands in Iceland, where locals help disoriented puffling chicks.
• 😀 Pufflings are young arctic seabirds that often mistake streetlights for moonlight, leading them to fly into towns instead of the sea.
• 😀 The Puffin Patrol has been a tradition for generations, with local families, like Sandra and her sister Bergl, actively participating in the rescue efforts.
• 😀 The rescue operation takes place between August and September when pufflings leave their nests and fly into town, needing human assistance to find their way to the sea.
• 😀 Volunteers use flashlights to find and safely collect pufflings, placing them in boxes lined with fresh grass to prevent injury.
• 😀 The islanders have a deep connection to the pufflings, seeing the rescue efforts as part of their community and family tradition.
• 😀 The Puffin Patrol is not only a local mission but also involves tourists who join in the rescue, turning it into a collective experience.
• 😀 After being rescued, the pufflings are checked by experts, marked with rings, and tracked to study the population’s health and development.
• 😀 The tradition of rescuing pufflings helps to strengthen community bonds and fosters a sense of shared responsibility for nature.
• 😀 Although the patrol's efforts have a small impact on the puffling population, the tradition is seen as vital for maintaining the connection between the people and the environment.

Q & A

What is the Puffin Patrol, and why is it important?

The Puffin Patrol is a community effort in Iceland where local residents, especially families, rescue young puffins (pufflings) that get confused by artificial lights and end up stranded in the city instead of heading to the sea. The patrol is important because it helps save the birds by returning them safely to the ocean, contributing to the conservation of the puffin population on the island.

How do pufflings get confused and end up in the city?

Pufflings are confused by light pollution, especially from streetlights, which they mistake for moonlight. This confusion leads them to fly toward the city rather than the sea, where they would naturally go after leaving their nests.

What role does Sandra and her family play in the Puffin Patrol?

Sandra and her family, including her sister Bergl and their children, are long-time members of the Puffin Patrol. They have been rescuing pufflings for generations and have even set a record for the most pufflings rescued in a season, earning them the title 'Puffin Queens'.

What preparations are made before going on a Puffin Patrol rescue mission?

Before a rescue mission, the team prepares by gathering essential materials, such as cardboard boxes lined with fresh grass from their gardens to prevent the pufflings from injuring their claws. They also wait for nightfall, as pufflings typically leave their nests under the cover of darkness.

What is the process of rescuing pufflings during the patrol?

During the patrol, team members use large flashlights to search for pufflings, as the birds are hard to spot due to their small size and the fact that they do not develop their colorful beaks until they are older. Once a puffling is found, it is gently placed in a cardboard box for safety.

What happens after a puffling is rescued and placed in a box?

Once a puffling is placed in a box, it is transported to a safe location for the night. The following day, experts like Erpur Hansen, a puffin researcher, check the birds, weigh them, and attach identification rings to their legs to track their movements in the future.

Why is the tagging of pufflings important?

Tagging pufflings is important for tracking the population's growth and understanding the long-term health of the puffin species. By marking the birds with identification rings, researchers can gather valuable data on their survival and migration patterns.

What is the significance of the release of pufflings back into the wild?

The release of pufflings back into the wild marks the culmination of the rescue effort. It is a special and emotional moment, especially for the families involved in the Puffin Patrol, as they witness the birds making their way back to the sea, where they will begin their journey to maturity.

How does the local community view the Puffin Patrol efforts?

The local community is supportive of the Puffin Patrol. Residents are understanding of the nighttime search operations, as they know the importance of the patrol in protecting pufflings. Some even get involved, helping to look out for the birds or handing over pufflings they find to the patrol team.

How does the tradition of the Puffin Patrol connect the community?

The tradition of the Puffin Patrol is a source of community pride, fostering a sense of unity and shared responsibility. It brings families together, encourages teamwork, and instills a deep respect for nature and wildlife conservation, strengthening the bonds between generations and neighbors.