Momentous occasion as Sami the first ever Channel Island seal pup to be released in Jersey after being rehabilitated in Guernsey
Submitted by Steve on 00:29, 19th Jun, 2017 |
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Fathers Day has been a very special time for one youngster at the GSPCA.
Sami the grey seal pup who was rescued in Jersey on a cold winters beach close to death at just over 13kgs by the Jersey British Divers Marine Life Rescue Medics has had a long road to recovery.
Less than a third of what she should have weighed at two weeks of age the grey seal pup was extremely lucky to survive.
After her initial first aid in Jersey Sami was flown to Guernsey where she was initially tube fed and treated every two hours day and night.
Her care was headed by GSPCA Animal Collection Officer and main marine mammal carer at the Shelter Geoff George.
With over 20 years rescuing and caring for seal pups Sami was in good hands.
After a period of treatments and fluids Sami's care moved onto a fish soup being tubed and then onto solid fish.
As winter ended Sami was fit enough to enter the rehabilitation pools and move on to 20 to 30 large fish a day and started to put on weight.
As Sami reached the ideal 40kg release weight the GSPCA contacted the Jersey authorities to see if it was possible to release her back into the waters where she was found.
We were overjoyed when the Jersey authorities gave the green light and the vet and team at the GSPCA cleared Sami for release as she reached 44kgs in weight.
Earlier in the week an appeal went out to try and find a boat to transport Sami to Les Écréhous which had been decided as the best place to set her free.
Dozens of offers were kindly made with one from Andrew and his family who had seen the appeal on the ITV Channel website.
Andrew and his son Harrison both know the water of Les Écréhous extremely well as they both volunteer on the RLNI St Catherine's Lifeboat and regularly train in the area.
So the date was set and Fathers Day was chosen as the weather was ideal and the team and boat was ready.
The day for the GSPCA team started early as at 8am preparations were made and the pool was drained so that Sami could be boxed for the journey.
Geoff with GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne caught her and carried her to the vehicle and then transported her with GSPCA volunteers Guy Hardill and Danni Brouard.
The team met up with another GSPCA staff member Seb Goman on Crown Pier and by 930am Sami and all were aboard with Andrew, his wife Karen, son Harrison and two cocker spaniels.
As soon as Sami was on board she was keen to get her first look at the sea and her nostrils took in the sea air.
The weather was fantastic and the trip to Les Écréhous extremely smooth and as the team neared the release site many of the Jersey British Divers Marine Life Rescue Medics including those that rescued her all those months ago were waiting on a boat to follow and spectate Sami's dip back to the wild.
As Sami and all slowed to anchor two adult seals could be seen in the distance and the area rich in wildlife from diving gannets to jellyfish swimming past.
At around 11am everything was ready and the team in place with cameras to capture this huge event.
The door of Sami's travel crate was opened and although not too sure at first as soon as she was out it tokk only a few seconds for her to dive back into her home waters.
The first few minutes were taking by swimming around the boat and then she started to venture further away.
She entertained the crowd by diving deep and popping up taking in the scenery and exploring.
After about 15 minutes she had swam off into the distance and the team made preparations to cast off after the first ever grey seal pup to be rescued in Jersey, rehabilitated in Guernsey and released back in the waters where she was found.
On the way back to Guernsey the team were treated by Andrew to a tour of the coastline of Jersey and dolphins were spotted and we even got to see the bay where Sami had been rescued.
Geoff George GSPCA Animal Collection Officer and Sami's carer said "Today has been such a great day."
"Sami has certainly been the most feisty seal pup we have ever had which is a good sign she will do well in the wild."
"We were so worried for her when she first arrived as she was so weak and thin."
"The trip to Les Écréhous was amazing and Andrew and his family so kind to take Sami there for her release."
"Sami did so well when she was released and we are so pleased at the GSPCA and thank you to all that helped us with her care."
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said "Sami is the first ever true Channel Island seal pup as we worked together pan island to rescue her, care for her and release where she belonged."
"Over the last 6 years we have been rehabilitating Guernsey seals on island and have successfully released 5 back into the wild locally."
"This is the first Jersey seal pup to be rehabilitated in the Channel Islands and be released back into Jersey waters."
"Over the last 6 months we have so many thanks to give to the many that helped with Sami and her care."
"Once again Geoff has done an amazing job and we are all extremely proud of him and all that supported him."
"Les Écréhous was a magical place to release Sami and with other seals in the distance and rich is so many other wild animals and birds we are all overjoyed with how well Sami's release went in such a special and ideal place for a release."
"After 6 months of care it was quite emotional to see her go but so lovely to share it with such a wonderful group of people from the GSPCA team members to Andrew and his family and of course the British Marine Mammal life Rescue Medics that rescued her back in December."
"We would really like to refurbish our seal unit and if anyone would like to help donate or support this much needed facility you can do so online, calling 257261 or at the Shelter."
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