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Goldfish rescued from 7ft deep well
The goldfish is now being cared for until a new home can be found for him.

The RSPCA came to the rescue of the lonely fish.

RSPCA Cymru received quite a shock recently when it was called to rescue a goldfish who was stuck 7ft down a well in Newport, Wales.

The goldfish was lucky to have even been noticed, because the property he was found at had been vacant, and was being sold at auction. He may not have been noticed at all, had a member of the public not thought to lift the well cover and take a look inside! 

When the member of the public lifted the well cover, they found the goldfish inside, 7ft down and completely alone. They contacted the RSPCA for help, and Inspector Claire Davey attended the scene to rescue him. 

Claire said: “We were given permission by the landowner and the estate agents to collect the fish but we have no idea how this little fella got there. It’s a complete mystery!

“The well was 7ft deep and it was quite difficult to catch the little fish and bring him to safety due to the depth and poor visibility but finally I managed to reach him with my reach and rescue pole - after about 30 minutes!
“Who knows what could have happened to this fish if he had not been spotted. It is unlikely that the fish would have survived for long there. I scooped him out and took him to the safety of a tank where he will be looked after until we can find him a lovely new home.”

The RSPCA have offered some tips on caring for goldfish, including:

  • make sure you know what space, depth and surface area of water is needed for the number and size of your fish
  • find out about what food your fish will eat, and how often and how much they will need it
  • get to know your goldfish to help spot signs of something being wrong, and if in doubt, ask your vet.

It is unclear how the goldfish came to be down the well, but he is now being cared for properly until he finds a new forever home. 

For more information on the RSCPA, or to support their mission, visit their website at rspca.org.uk/getinvolved

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.