First seal pup of the season arrives at the GSPCA from Jersey only days old called Shakespeare

Yesterday morning at 5am Head of Marine Mammals Geoff George was at the harbour to meet the first grey seal pup of the 2022/23 season which was rescued in Jersey.

BDMLR Channel Islands posted on their facebook page ‘This little one was found yesterday morning in Jersey. He is only days old and has managed to put on 4kg in just afew days from average birth weight by getting mums fat rich milk. He still had some umbilcul cord attached.

Unfortunately with the height of the tides and the windy weather we are expecting more pups to be washed in. However it doesn’t always mean mum has lost them, she could still be nearby and waiting to give regular feeds.

Please please if you find a seal pup, clear the area, put dogs on leads and away in the car if possible and then stay back. Never pick up or try and put back in the water. They are a protected species on the Jersey wildlife law and can give an awful bite.

Call the JSPCA on 01534 724331 straight away and they will call out the volunteer seal team from BDMLR. Please give thorough directions to the location of the seal

If you are able to wait, stay back from the pup, ask other walkers to put dogs on leads and stay away and we will get to you as quick as humanly possible.

pups are only lifted from the beach if a fully experienced BDMLR coordinator gives the go ahead and permissions have been gained to house it at the vets. On arrival a full assessment of the pup will be made and some monitoring of the area for mum will be put in place.

This little pup has now made his way to Guernsey GSPCA where he will be rehabilitated.

As usual many thanks to Iris Freight CI , New Era Veterinary Hospital, GSPCA, Guernsey SPCA and JSPCA Animals' Shelter’

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “With rough weather and as we move closer to the winter we often see seal mothers separated from their pups and yesterday we received the first of the season which was rescued in Jersey on Tuesday.”

“The grey seal pup is only days old and was only 16.2kg when it arrived.”

“The pup has been named Shakespeare and is having around the clock care thanks to Head of Marine Mammals Geoff George.”

“If anyone see's a pup with or without a mum we really do appreciate a call so that we are aware of its location and condition or send us a few pictures by email or social media, but please don’t approach them and certainly don’t let your dogs get near.”

“For those that don’t know a healthy pup looks like a big, stuffed maggot without a neck.”

“However, a thin pup looks sleek, not necessarily bony and has a visible neck, like a healthy dog.”

“In the Summer we released four seal pups we helped last Winter and we are hoping to get the other two back to the wild soon.”

“It is the grey seal that we predominately see around our shores and with the such stormy weather the mums could easily get separated or pups harmed due to the sea conditions.”

“If you have a concern call us on 01481 257261 and chose option 2 for our 24/7 emergency helpline.”

To see a VT on youtube of Shakespeare arriving please go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aRK9kAgLkE 

Here is some additional advice -

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 the GSPCA immediately on 01481 257261 day or night

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.

Pictured above is Bonnie the seal pup on arrival and after a few months of care. 

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.

Steve continued “With the two left we hope to get the last two back to the wild soon namely Luna C and Auora, but Shakespeare has a long way to go.”

“The pup season is now here 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 seals 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 - 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 .”

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 23 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/event/5876/GSPCA-Coronavirus-Emergency-Appeal

Puffin Parade

In 2023 we are running a Puffin Parade and to sponsor a 4 foot puffin with the GSPCA and Autism Guernsey go to - https://puffinparade.org.gg/

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  

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In line with States of Guernsey advice please DO NOT visit the GSPCA if have any symptoms of Coronavirus and we continue visits to the Shelter for only essential reasons and to please call us on 01481 257261 or email [email protected] before your trip to see if we can help without you coming to the Shelter. For the latest information and advice please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/search/node/coronavirus

With huge challenges on our resources and a drop in income from boarding and donations please help us help animals in Guernsey with our #GSPCACoronavirusCrisisAppeal by donating online via - https://giving.gg/donate/event/5876/GSPCA-Coronavirus-Emergency-Appeal

Below are our usual opening times but with the current challenges due to covid 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 -

Beau Cinema Event Sunday 30^th October – https://www.guernseytickets.gg/?fbclid=IwAR0MR32dSzZU34tN_zUv5IWt3pow16s0UAeRhgYLlc-yPtALLfo3TZycv5A

Dog First Aid 6.30pm - 8.45pm Wednesday 9th November 2022 - Ref - Dog 9/11 - https://www.gspca.org.gg/services/training-courses

Volunteer Induction Evening 630pm Wednesday 23^rd November 2022 https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers

Cat First Aid 6.30pm - 8.45pm Wednesday 30th November 2022 - Ref – Cat30/11 - https://www.gspca.org.gg/services/training-courses

2023 GSPCA and Autism Guernsey have the Puffin Parade - https://puffinparade.org.gg/