In a delightful turn of events, three stowaway baby rabbits were rescued from a drilling rig in the North Sea, as reported by BBC Lincolnshire. These unexpected visitors made their journey from Dundee to Aberdeen, before finding themselves aboard the Valaris Norway, approximately 93 miles off the coast of Lincolnshire.
The little bunnies likely hopped into a container in Dundee, which was then transported by road to Aberdeen. From there, they traveled on the offshore vessel Aquarius to Ithaca Energy's Cygnus field. It was on the Valaris Norway that the crew made the surprising discovery of the rabbits, who had taken advantage of a warm hiding spot in an offshore container.
Initially, two of the rabbits were found running around the deck, prompting the crew to spring into action. They quickly set up a warm bed and provided fresh vegetables and water for the little creatures. The crew's quick thinking ensured that the rabbits were safe and comfortable.
The two rabbits were kept in the radio room until they could be returned to the Aquarius for their journey back to Aberdeen. However, the adventure didn't end there. When the vessel returned to the rig, a third bunny was discovered hiding in a forklift, much to everyone's surprise.
New Arc animal rescue, based near Ellon in Aberdeenshire, took in the rabbits and expressed their gratitude to the offshore teams for their care. A spokesperson from the charity noted, "It's likely the bunnies found a nice warm place to hide in an offshore container." They also mentioned that the rabbits were thriving and were quite the handful, humorously stating, "They're eating us out of house and home."
An Ithaca spokesperson remarked on the unexpected nature of the discovery, saying, "Little did anyone know a third bunny was still hiding. Luckily they all seem to be doing well, but that's down to the crews taking very good care of them."
The Fletcher Group, which operates the Aquarius vessel, echoed these sentiments, praising the crew for their efforts in ensuring the rabbits' safety and well-being. "Everyone did such a great job of looking after them and getting them off safely. We are pleased that they have been reunited and are doing well," they stated.
This charming tale of the stowaway rabbits serves as a reminder of the unexpected interactions between wildlife and industrial environments. It's a story that not only brings a smile but also raises questions about how often wildlife might find their way into such unusual places.
What do you think about the rabbits' unexpected adventure? Have you ever encountered wildlife in an unusual setting?