Full Breakdown
Stowaway Baby Rabbits Rescued from North Sea Drilling Rig
4/24/2026, 1:39:02 PM
Rescue Operation on the Valaris Norway Rig
Three baby European rabbits were found on the Valaris Norway drilling rig, part of Ithaca Energy’s Cygnus platform, about 93 miles (150 km) off the Lincolnshire coast. Crew members secured the animals in a heated radio-room, transferred them to the offshore supply vessel FS Aquarius, and returned them to Aberdeen after a 22-hour voyage. A second trip to the rig later uncovered a third rabbit hidden in a forklift pocket, which was also brought ashore. All three hares were handed to New Arc Wildlife Rescue in Aberdeenshire.
Background & Context
The rabbits are thought to have entered an offshore container in Dundee, seeking a “nice warm place to hide.” The container was road-transported to Aberdeen, loaded onto FS Aquarius, and then transferred to the Valaris Norway rig.
Timeline
- Early April 2026 – Container moved from Dundee to Aberdeen and loaded onto FS Aquarius.
- 21 April 2026 – Crew spotted two rabbits on the pipe deck, rescued them, and returned them to Aberdeen (22-hour trip).
- 22 April 2026 – FS Aquarius returned to the rig; a third rabbit was found in a forklift pocket and rescued.
- 23 April 2026 – New Arc Wildlife Rescue confirmed all three rabbits are healthy.
Official Statements & Responses
Ithaca Energy thanked the crews of Cygnus, Valaris Norway and FS Aquarius for their “maximum effort and care.” The Valaris Norway crew said the rabbits were kept in a dry, heated space with water and vegetables. FS Aquarius master Michal Laursen reported that his team provided food, water and a warm environment throughout the journey. New Arc Wildlife Rescue stated the rabbits are thriving, receiving hay, greens and pellets, and warned that carrots should be offered only as an occasional treat.
Why It Matters
The rescue illustrates that offshore personnel can quickly mobilise animal-welfare procedures, reinforcing safety culture on energy installations and raising public awareness of wildlife interactions with industrial operations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “My crew kept them in a dry and heated room and made sure they had food and water,” — Michal Laursen, Master, FS Aquarius
- “All three rabbits are now doing well at our rescue centre, and eating us out of house and home.” — New Arc Wildlife Rescue, Facebook post
- “The crew immediately activated rescue mode and safely caught the two bunnies, setting them up with a warm bed and some fresh veggies and water.” — New Arc Wildlife Rescue, statement
- “ The rescue added, "Carrots should not be routinely fed to rabbits other than as a treat due to their sugar content.” — New Arc Wildlife Rescue, rescue guidelines
What’s Next
New Arc Wildlife Rescue will continue monitoring the rabbits’ health and provide long-term care. No further wildlife incidents on the Cygnus platform have been reported, and the drilling operation remains underway.
