Today has been a very busy day as a second poorly seal pup from Jersey has arrived at the GSPCA.
Marty as he has been named was rescued by the Jersey British Divers Marine Life Rescue yesterday on Green Island beach.
He spent the night at New Era Vets and was transported kindly by Blue Islands from Jersey to Guernsey.
He is only 18kgs and appears much older than Andrew that arrived last month form Jersey. Despite being 6 to 8 weeks of age he has a number of ailments from a chest infection to his emaciated condition.
Due to the ailments the team at the GSPCA have been extremely busy this morning preparing a completely separate area for Marty so he and Andrew are completely segregated to ensure no cross infection occurs.
This was a huge undertaking and show cases the need of a new purpose built Wildlife Hospital.
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
Marty was collected by GSPCA Head of Marine Mammals Geoff George who has now settled Marty in, checked him over and already got his to eat some fish all on his own.
To donate to Andrew and Marty the seal pups please visit - www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jerseyandguernseysealpups
Geoff George GSPCA Animal ambulance Officer and Head of Marine Mammals said “Marty is very thin and has a very bad chest and we now have him isolated in a new isolated pen that we have had to create this morning to keep him separate from Andrew the seal pup.”
“He is extremely thin although we are all very pleased that after his check over on arrival he has started eating fish all on his own.”
“He has a long road to recovery and it is very early days but we will do all we can for him around the clock here at the GSPCA.”
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “A huge thank you to all of the staff, volunteers, placements, Work to Benefit team members and helpers this morning that did so much to prepare for Marty the grey seal pup.”
“Due to Marty’s chest infection we wanted to ensure he was completely isolated from Andrew which has involved moving our semi rehabilitated hedgehogs to another unit.”
“With Marty already eating his first fish we putting out another appeal to help both seal pups which we are looking for good quality fresh mackerel or herring, or you can donate via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jerseyandguernseysealpups or any of the other donation pages we have, calling 01481 257261 or at the GSPCA in St Andrews.”
Geoff continues "If anyone spots a seal pup in Guernsey healthy or not we urge people not to approach them and to give us a call on 257261."
Steve Byrne continued "Andrew continues to improve each day and has just passed his first month in our care.”
“A healthy grey seal pup should look like a fat sausage and you shouldn't be able to the a neck, but if in doubt please send a picture in or give us a call."
"Often healthy seal pups will have their Mother watching them from out at sea and it is people that has scared them off, so please do keep your distance and your dogs under control."
"We are hugely grateful to all that have donated blankets and towels to help Andrew and the many animals at the GSPCA and we are now appealing for fresh fish to help this poorly seal pup.”
“If you don’t have any fish you can also donate to them via our online page www.paypal.me/DonateGSPCA .”
“We have recently launched our Buy a Brick campaign to build a new Wildlife Hospital and to find out more please check out our leaflet or drop me a line.”
Yesterday the BDMLR Channel Islands facebook page said “This poorly grey seal pup washed up at Green Island beach at high tide this morning.”
“Named Marty, he is now being expertly cared for at New Era Veterinary Hospital whilst travel arrangements are being made to transport him to the GSPCA in Guernsey, for hopeful rehabilitation.”
“He is suffering from a respiratory infection so fingers crossed. If you find a seal pup or stranded sea mammal please advise the JSPCA on 724331 or the Environment Dept on 441600 and they will alert the Jersey BDMLR team asap.”
“Please keep away from stranded seal pups, keep dogs on a lead and please do not disturb them.”
“They may look sweet and cuddly but they are very aggressive and will bite.
“We will be grabbing our gear and be on our way as soon as we receive the call, the less disturbance to any seal pups the better its chances of survival.”
“Sometimes they don't need lifting from the beach and mum could be close by, other times, like this little guy they do need lifting for medical treatment.”
“Thankyou to new medics Ailsa, Martine, Shayla and Mia for your help this morning.”
Blue Islands on their facebook said “Sadly, another seal pup was found washed up at Green Island in Jersey yesterday in ill health. Marty, around 4 weeks old, is very poorly, suffering from respiratory problems and has just flown from Jersey to Guernsey by Blue Islands where the GSPCA, Guernsey SPCA will provide the care he needs to be released back into local waters.”
“We wish Marty a speedy recovery!”
To visit the Blue Island facebook page please go to - https://www.facebook.com/blueislandsofficial/
To visit the BDMLR facebook page please go to - https://www.facebook.com/BDMLR-Channel-Islands-277341472921539/
Here is information if you find an injured animal you can call us 24/7 on 257261 or check out our wildlife advice pages - http://www.gspca.org.gg/animals/wildlife-advice “
Every Autumn and Winter the shores of the Bailiwick see grey seal pups being born.
The earliest grey seal pup we have rescued in recent years was Temperance who was found during the last week of October last year.
In recent years every winter the GSPCA have helped rescue and care for grey seal pups.
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, but here is some advice.
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 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.
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.
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
To donate to Andrew and Marty the seal pups please visit - www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jerseyandguernseysealpups
To become a Christmas Angel Pen Pal Sponsor or to give as a gift please click this link to download a form - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20Christmas%20special.pdf
To download a Corporate Angel Pen Pal form please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Corporate%20Angel%20Pen%20Pal%20sponsor%20formnew.pdf
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
Some awards open for nominations currently are –
The ADCH & Petplan Awards - https://www.petplan.co.uk/about-petplan/charities/
The Ceva Animal Welfare Awards – http://www.cevawelfareawards.com/
To find out more on trips, talks and our education work please email [email protected] or call 01481 257261
To donate to the animals in our care please visit - www.paypal.me/DonateGSPCA
If you would like to help at one of our upcoming events please give Michelle a call on 257261 or email [email protected]
If you would like to find out more on how you can support the shelter and the animals in our care then please visit our fundraising page www.gspca.org.gg/fundraising
To see some of the animals looking for homes at the GSPCA please visit – http://www.gspca.org.gg/animals
Another way to support us is our on site Charity Shop and refreshment area and to find out more please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-onsite-charity-shop
If your group or business would like to find out about spending a day at the Shelter please go to -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/corporate-and-group-days
For other ways your business can help us here at the GSPCA please go to -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/how-your-business-can-help-gspca-corporate-sponsorship
To find out our opening hours and when you can visit some of the animals in our care please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-opening-visiting-times
To see some of the animals looking for homes please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/animals
On Monday 7th January we have a volunteer induction evening and for more information and additional induction dates please visit http://gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers or call 257261
To see our upcoming guided tours please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/services/guided-tours-gspca
To see our Wish List on our website please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list
To visit the details on the Urgent Kennel Floor Appeal please visit - www.gspca.org.gg/blog/urgent-kennel-floor-appeal-%E2%80%93-kennel-flooring-work-discovers-need-new-drains-and-completely-ripp
To learn about the ‘Buy a Brick’ in the new Wildlife Hospital and find out more please click here - http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-launch-buy-brick-proposed-new-wildlife-hospital
To learn more about our biggest project, become an Exclusive Build Partner and support our Wildlife Hospital please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-exclusive-build-partner
To visit our Amazon Wish list please visit - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/25MJPPDAGXHL1?type=WishList
To set up a Just Giving page to do some fund raising for our work or animals in our care please visit - https://www.justgiving.com/gspca Or a Giving.gg page please visit - https://giving.gg/donate/charity/0/Select-Guernsey-charity-for-direct-donation
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