Faulkner the Jersey grey seal pup now at the GSPCA

Early hours of this morning GSPCA Head of Marine Mammals Geoff George patiently waited at Guernsey harbour for a new arrival.

Just after 630am the paper boat arrived with not only the newspapers, but also a young grey seal pup.

To make a donation to help the seal and other animals in our care please go to https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA) 

Geoff said “It was an early start today as I headed down  to Guernsey harbour around 530am.”

“Just after 630am Faulkner the grey seal pup rescued in Jersey arrived and is now in our care at the GSPCA.”

“He is 22kgs so have what he should be for his age and full of worms.”

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “We were hoping that the Channel Island seals would be heading to the UK this year for rehab as we soon need to demolish the current old buildings, but sadly there are issues with space and as the demolition is likely not to be until Spring we volunteered our help for Faulkner the Jersey grey seal pup as they were struggling finding somewhere for him to go.”

“Faulkner arrived safely this morning and Geoff is pleased with how he travelled thanks to the paper boat and his stay at New era vets and care of the BDMLR team in Jersey.”

“At 22kgs we now have to double his body weight and get him wormed, so he is in our intensive care area for seals and Geoff has already given him his first meal of fish soup.”

“We weren’t planning on caring for seals long term this season and we have a number of challenges.”

“The first is a lack of a commercial sized freezer and we are appealing for someone to help us to store a pallet or two of mackerel and herring as our large freezer sadly passed the point of repair earlier this year and when we build the Wildlife Hospital we will fit a new one within it but in the mean time we need help.”

"We also need a new undercounter fridge for the seal unit."

“We do need mackerel and herring if anyone has any but feeding poorly animals we animals need in date human edible quality to ensure we give the seal pups the best diet and chance to build their health.”

“The recent weeks have seen many challenges as many of our outer aviaries, pens, fences and equipment were sadly damaged or destroyed due to Storm Ciaran.”

"Due to the storm we have launched an Urgent Appeal for funds due to the damage as we need to clear fallen trees and build new enclosures which can be seen by going to https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-launches-urgent-fundraising-appeal-wake-storm-ciaran .”

“As well as funds we really need a couple of portakabins to house some of the displaced animals including the seals during the rebuild until we can build new enclosures and also ahead of our BIG BUILD.”

“Faulkner and Barnacle Bill the loggerhead turtle are just two of the casualties due to the recent storms.”

The BDMLR Channel Island facebook page said

‘Faulkner the seal pup - Jersey

Part 1

Early morning on Sunday (12th Nov) one of our marine medics was busy doing a beach clean down at L'Etacq when she stumbled across a growly wet seal pup resting in the rocks, just under Faulkner fisheries.

Marine mammal medic, Gail Bennie called into the CI coordinator with her find and a text was sent out to all the group requesting assistance. A safe zone was set up around the pup, whilst the coordinator got all the gear together, and got out there to make a health assessment.

On assessment (visual only) it was clear the pup had at some point received some super rich fatty milk from its mum. It had managed to build up some weight and was super alert and healthy. He was still about a week away from weaning stage, and still had his heavy white lanugo coat (which he needs to moult before becoming fully water savvy). All he wanted to do was sleep, and he was very content doing just that, in what would have been full public view. With this in mind the safe zone was put in place for the day with medics coming and going in the horrid wind and rain. The safe zone is an attempt to keep pup safe from any potential hazards, dog walkers stumbling upon him, to give the pup the space he needed to rest, but mainly for the possibility the mum would come back in at high tide. The tides were on our side as it wasn't due to hit the pups resting area until around 3.30pm.

As the tide hit the pup, we were impressed with how well he handled the big swell. He hung around the jetty for a while picking up things in the water, trying to stuff seaweed in his mouth, and was generally flapping around. However there was no sign of mum.

As darkness hit, the pup started to look tired, less playing and more bobbing, and the last view was him drifting south, out to sea. With a heavy heart full of worry for the little pup, the medics stood down for the day and all went home to dry off.

Part 2 to come ...’

To visit the BDMLR website please go to https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066838792422

Steve continued “In the last decade we have released 32 grey seal pups back into the wild.”

"We have some great web pages with advice on what to do if you see a seal pup which are being born at this time of year or oiled birds, although we are only a call away on 257261."

"With young seal pups the main piece of advice is to please not approach them as you can scare their mother away and if you see one to please call us on 257261 and we can make sure they are safe or give advice."

"For those out with dogs please don't let them approach seal pups as this can scare their mothers off and if they were to bite your dog and cause a nasty injury."

"As well as wildlife we have to ensure our own pets and animals are safe and secure with the high winds as we often see dogs escaping from gates being blown open to farm animals escaping."

“The pup season will soon be here again and if you do see a seal pup please do give us a call on 257261 or send a few pictures via our facebook or [email protected] so we can monitor them.”

“For advice on what to do and how to identify a sick seal pup check out our advice page http://www.gspca.org.gg/animal/seal-advice “

“There are many ways to support our work and the seal pups from making a donation towards their care to donating or helping towards the new much needed Wildlife Hospital.”

“To make a donation to help the seal and other animals in our care please go to https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)  .”

“You can also donate by calling  01481 257261, by post to GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey GY6 8UD or popping up to the Shelter in St Andrews.”

“To make a direct donation to the Wildlife Hospital please visit - https://giving.gg/donate/event/4618/Please-Support-the-GSPCA-Wildlife-Hospital-Appeal .”

“To Buy a Brick in the new Wildlife Hospital and download a leaflet please click here - Buy a Brick for Christmas and help us build a Wildlife Hospital in Guernsey | GSPCA Guernsey .”

“Larger donors or corporates may want to make a larger donation and become an Exclusive Build Partner and to find out more please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-exclusive-build-partner .”

"For lots of ways to support our work in our 150th year please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-150th-ball-st-pierre-park-hotel-saturday-30th-september-tickets-sale-and-could-you-spon-0 ."

“We also have our 150th Ball on the 10th February and to find out more please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/new-date-gspca-150th-ball-st-pierre-park-hotel-saturday-10th-february-2024-tickets-sale-and-cou .”

To see videos of the seal pups including Faulkner please check out GSPCA Guernsey - YouTube

If You Spot A Seal Pup

If you find a seal pup that looks FIT AND HEALTHY and it shows no signs of distress, you may consider monitoring it from a safe distance for 24 hours. Unfortunately, too many seal pups get taken into captivity because people think they have been abandoned. If the mother does not return within 24 hours, we would ask you to contact 01481 257261.

A healthy pup looks like a big, stuffed maggot without a neck. However, a thin pup looks sleek (but not bony) and has a visible neck, like a healthy dog.

PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH THE SEAL. They can give a nasty bite, which will become infected by bacteria that live in a seal’s mouths.

Note: Do not allow dogs or other animals to harass a seal.

If a seal is scared back into the water, it could then be washed out to sea by strong currents and be lost. You should not put a seal pup back in the sea as it may get into difficulty.

If a seal pup is sick, thin or injured then we would ask you to contact our 24-hour cruelty and advice line

When reporting an injured, sick or abandoned seal to the GSPCA, please make sure you are able to supply the following information:

• Exact location; nearest town / village
• Position on the beach, and state of the tide
• How long you have observed the pup; any disturbance / risk to it; whether the mother has been seen
• Any wounds / obvious signs of illness
• Length/colour/condition.

Caution:- Handling of any animal either domestic, wild, dead or alive may be potentially hazardous. Obvious dangers include bites, scratches and general hygiene issues. Common sense should be applied in all instances and, if unsure, seek additional advice or assistance. Personal hygiene should be taken into consideration after handling any animal, whether it’s domestic, wild, dead or alive.

For any questions please contact 01481 257261

Please remember and keep your animals and pets safe during the high winds, especially those that are kept outdoors.

Here is a table of the seals we have helped back to the wild and those in our care -

To see some of the previous stories about seals please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/tag/seals .

Some grey seal facts -

• Population numbers since 1960s have doubled
• A grey seal pup weighs 14kg at birth
• A grey seal pup mothers milk contains 60% fat
• Grey seals can dive to a depth of 70m
• Another name for a grey seal is the horsehead seal
• Grey seals are found in the waters surrounding Europe, Russia, North America, and Channel Islands
• Grey seals can be found in estuaries, inter tidal zones, brackish water, polar and shallow seas
• There are 18 known species of seal in the world
• Many sick seal pups need tube feeding every 2-3 hours day and night on arrival
• The seal pups in our care once eating will consume 20-30 herring or mackerel each day
• We aim for a release weight in excess of 40 kg, with good weather and a remote location
• The GSPCA has returned 32 seals back to the wild in the last ten years

For advice on what to do if you see or find sick or injured wildlife please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/animals/wildlife-advice or call 01481 257261

Donate

Donate by calling  01481 257261, by post to GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey GY6 8UD or online https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)

GSPCA BIGGEST BUILD Appeal

For details please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/biggest-appeal-ever-gspca-big-build-appeal-buy-brick-build-brighter-future-animals-guernsey

GSPCA 150th Year Ball Saturday 10th February

To find out more - https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/new-date-gspca-150th-ball-st-pierre-park-hotel-saturday-10th-february-2024-tickets-sale-and-cou

GSPCA Celebrates 150 years in 2023

This year the GSPCA celebrate 150 years and to find out more please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-celebrating-150-years

Sponsored Event

Why not create your own sponsored event or challenge - https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)

For lots more ideas why not visit our fundraising page www.gspca.org.gg/fundraising

Wish List

Check out our wish list page from the smallest of items to our biggest of projects there are many ways to support us - http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list

To visit our Amazon Wish list to see some of the items we need to help the wildlife please visit - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/25MJPPDAGXHL1?type=WishList

GSPCA Wildlife Hospital Appeal

To make a direct donation please visit - https://giving.gg/donate/event/4618/Please-Support-the-GSPCA-Wildlife-Hospital-Appeal

To Buy a Brick in the new Wildlife Hospital and download a leaflet please click here - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Buy%20a%20Brick%20Wildlife%20Hospital.pdf

Larger donors or corporates may want to make a larger donation and become an Exclusive Build Partner and to find out more please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-exclusive-build-partner

Legacies & Bequests

By leaving a gift to the GSPCA in your Will really helps us to improve the lives of animals into the future.  After providing for those you care for, please consider leaving a proportion of what remains to the GSPCA it is so appreciated and makes a real lasting legacy.

A gift like this to the GSPCA ensures our animals and those in Guernsey will always have someone to keep them safe. To find out more please http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/gifts-wills-and-funding 

Gift Aid on Donations over £500

To find out about the States of Guernsey tax relief information on gift aid up to 2020 on donations totalling between £500 and £5000 please see the details by going to https://www.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=2617&p=0

2021 gift aid is from £500 and up to £7500 and here are the details - https://www.gov.gg/article/151830/Income-tax-relief

To download the form to claim for 2020 or before please follow this link https://www.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=1994&p=0

Become a sponsor and GSPCA member

Why become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor and support our work each month please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf

To become a Corporate Angel Pen Pal form for your business to sponsor animals in our care each year please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Corporate%20Angel%20Pen%20Pal%20sponsor%20formnew.pdf  

Share our posts and follow us on social media

Many of you will have seen us on social media and your support liking and sharing our posts is really appreciated, and to visit our social media pages please go to

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GuernseySPCA

Twitter https://twitter.com/GSPCA

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gspca-guernsey-965b0751/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gspca_guernsey/

Subscribe to our Supporters Newsletter

To subscribe to our supporters newsletter and find out about upcoming events and news please go to https://us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9324335c87c8b3ec9f0016f2a&id=e61c951a08

Below are our usual opening times but these are occasionally adjusted to ensure we provide the best of care for the animals and those needing our 24/7 help, in an emergency please call 01481 257261

Upcoming Events we are at and need your help -

Are you supporting the GSPCA our 150th year? Here are a few ways you could get involved | GSPCA Guernsey

Wednesday 15^th November 2023 – GSPCA Cat First aid Course

Wednesday 22^nd November 2023 – Volunteer Induction Evening

Monday 4^th December 2023 – World Wildlife Conservation Day

GSPCA 150^th Year Ball – Saturday 10^th February 2023 https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/new-date-gspca-150th-ball-st-pierre-park-hotel-saturday-10th-february-2024-tickets-sale-and-cou

Many more events will be added and dates to be confirmed and if you have any events or ideas to celebrate our 150 years please get in touch…………..