Tree surgeon preparing 150ft descent after live firing delayed rescue attempt
A MAJOR rescue operation is being planned this afternoon to reach two lambs stranded below the cliffs at Stack Rocks.
Local tree surgeon Callum Jones is preparing to descend around 150ft using rigging and harnesses in a last-ditch attempt to bring the animals to safety.
The lambs, believed to be this year’s stock and less than 12 months old, have been stranded below the cliffs for more than 24 hours.
Their rescue has been complicated by live firing at Castlemartin Range during daylight hours. Concern had grown on Tuesday as the tide rose, but there have since been unconfirmed reports that the animals survived the night.
The Herald understands that firing at the range is due to finish at 4:30pm today (Wednesday, May 6), allowing the rescue attempt to go ahead.
Callum, of Mighty Oaks Tree Care, told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “It’s going to be difficult, but when you’re in this profession, every job is difficult in its individual way.
“My plan is to try and get my jeep down, as this will make it much easier to rig off the vehicle and get down the cliff.
“Obviously I’ll have multiple ropes to back myself up, and if all goes well, I’m hoping to use a haulage system to bring the lambs up.
“If I can’t get them inside a harness, then I’ll have to get them up in a ton bag.”
Callum will be supported by two members of his Mighty Oaks Tree Care team.
He added: “They’re exceptionally competent lads who are used to rigging up difficult things, so rescuing the lambs from Stack Rocks shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
“As soon as I found out about the lambs’ situation, I knew I had to do as much as possible to try and save them.
“Their plight has prompted so much concern throughout the county, and we’re determined to do everything we can to get them back to dry land.”
The coastguard has urged members of the public to stay back from the cliff edge and not to attempt to look down at the animals.
Meanwhile the RSPCA said they would not help. In a statement sent to The Herald they said: “We need to focus our dedicated frontline officers where they can help as many animals as possible, so we have made the difficult decision to cease our sea boat and rope rescue operations.
“These teams have done some amazing work over the years but the reality is we deploy these services very infrequently and they are very time and resource intensive.
“After careful consideration, we decided the considerable costs of training staff and maintaining equipment for this service, at a time when there are unprecedented demands on our services, can be better redeployed into other areas of our work.”
HM Coastguard attempted to rescue the animals on Tuesday (May 5), but were unable to complete the rescue due to live firing exercises.
The RNLI were also contacted.
