Stowaway baby rabbits found on North Sea drilling rig

Three stowaway baby rabbits have been rescued after being discovered on a drilling rig in the North Sea.

The unexpected visitors were shipped from Aberdeen to the Valaris Norway, about 93 miles (150km) off the coast of Lincolnshire.

It is believed they hopped into a container in Dundee, which was taken by road to Aberdeen, before travelling on the offshore ship Aquarius to Ithaca Energy's Cygnus field.

Two bunnies were initially brought ashore before another was later found in hiding. They were handed into the care of an Aberdeenshire animal charity.

New Arc animal rescue, based near Ellon, praised the offshore teams for looking after the stowaways earlier this month.

The charity said the rabbits were doing well and "eating us out of house and home".

A spokesperson added: "It's likely the bunnies found a nice warm place to hide in an offshore container.

"The container was transported onto the Valaris Norway where the bunnies took freedom and were found running around the deck.

"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."

The Valaris crew kept the first two rabbits safe in the radio room before being taken back to the Aquarius to return to Aberdeen.

The master of Aquarius, Michal Laursen, told BBC Scotland News, the bunnies were transferred in a box back onto the vessel by crane.

"My crew kept them in a dry and heated room and made sure they had food and water," he said.

They had a 22-hour journey back to be Aberdeen and were handed over to New Arc.

Aquarius then headed back to Valaris Norway, only for the deck crew to spot and catch the third rabbit hiding in a forklift.

"The bunny got another all-inclusive cruise trip to Aberdeen," he said.

An Ithaca spokesperson said: "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."

Fletcher Group, which operates the Aquarius vessel, added: "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."

A donation has been made by the rescuers to New Arc.