Heroic Brits have formed a human chain to save hundreds of fish from a rapidly drying pond – while slamming the local government for lack of action.
As temperatures spiked this week, concerned residents in Pinhoe, Exeter, watched in shock as fish gasped and crowded in inches of murky water at Westclyst pond.
They repeatedly appealed for help, but with no apparent rescue coming, it was time to take matters into their own hands.
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Resident Michelle Madge said locals formed a “human chain” to rescue 300 fish with buckets and nets.
She said: “It was an incredible community effort.
“Some of us climbed down the bank into thick, muddy water that was above knee-depth in places.
“Conditions were difficult and, sadly, many fish had already died due to low oxygen and poor water quality.
“We worked as a team.
“Some scooped fish by hand and with old nets, while others formed a human chain passing buckets up to clean containers.
“It was exhausting and messy, but the community came together brilliantly, and everyone involved should be very proud of the effort.”
Workers from Greendale Farm Shop, who were approached by local Adrian Clarke, 55, rescued hundreds more fish by using vehicles, water tanks and specialist equipment.
Adrian also contacted the Environment Agency to report the incident and Jam Press that he was allegedly told the case had been passed to a local officer – but there was no confirmation of if or when they would intervene.
In an urgent public appeal, Adrian warned the animals could have just “one to two days” left as the community came together to save the creatures.
Public bodies have since come under fire.
Jam Press approached Green Party Cllr Paula Fernley for comment.
In a leaked email seen by this news agency, the councillor said she had been “keeping quiet” about the “difficult situation”, while officials sought to establish who was responsible for the privately-owned site.
“I was keeping quiet as it’s a difficult situation,” she wrote.
“It’s certainly an unintended wildlife haven as a heron was munching his way through the easy-to-catch fish.”
Cllr Fernley subsequently gave a full explanation for the remark to Jam Press, saying the email had been intended for council colleagues after concerns emerged on social media.
She said: “My reference to ‘keeping quiet’ simply reflected that I did not want to say anything before establishing the facts and seeking advice from the organisations involved.
“Given that the land is privately owned and not managed by the council, I felt it was important for me to understand the situation fully before commenting on social media.
“I had made enquiries with contacts in the fisheries and environmental sectors to see whether there are any practical ways I could help.”
The councillor claimed the apparent presence of non-native fish complicated the situation because they could not simply be released into local waterways due to the risks posed to native wildlife.
East Devon District Council identified housing developer Redrow as the organisation responsible for managing the site.
A council spokesperson told Jam Press: “We share our residents’ concern about the welfare of the fish and are engaging with the Environment Agency and the developer, Redrow, which is responsible for managing the site, to safely relocate them.”
David Wilson from Redrow South West said the ponds were built to manage rainwater and were never intended to contain fish.
A spokesperson told Jam Press: “The attenuation ponds at Westclyst form part of the development’s Sustainable Drainage System.
“They were designed to help manage rainwater, not as habitats for fish.
“Non-native fish have been introduced by a third party without our knowledge or consent.
“However, now that we have become aware of their presence, we have consulted ecologists and removed and relocated the fish to a suitable receptor site.
“We thank residents for bringing the presence of the fish to our attention.”
However, residents have since questioned who removed some of the remaining fish and where they have been taken.
Local Michelle says Greendale Farm Shop returned for a third rescue attempt but found all the fish had vanished.
She claimed, “Nobody seems to know where they went, but they had definitely all gone”.
Residents have also questioned why official intervention did not come sooner.
One resident, named Dan, said: “I don’t understand why somebody couldn’t have got them out.
“That’s horrible to see that suffering.
“Or even the local council sort something out by topping the pond back up.”
David Reed, MP for Exeter East and Exmouth, also contacted the Environment Agency after constituents raised concerns.
The Environment Agency said it was concentrating its resources on distressed fish in rivers and streams and was unable to conduct rescues from ornamental ponds.
A spokesperson said: “Droughts are taking a toll on watercourses and the wildlife that inhabit them.
“While we are unable to carry out fish rescues from ornamental ponds, we are always willing to give advice to owners on the best way to safely and legally mind their stock.”
The agency warned that moving fish without appropriate safeguards could spread disease or introduce predators into other waters.
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