Yesterday morning the GSPCA team were called out to yet another sick and very underweight grey seal pup.
The call came near the Fairy Ring and the team when they arrived were faced with an emaciated and very poorly young seal pup which was half the weight it should be.
The pup was quickly recued and transported to the GSPCA and the young pup at only a few weeks old should be over 40kgs and was just 20.6kg when rescued with no mother in site.
This takes the numbers of seal pups to the highest it has ever been in our long history.
Around 15 years ago 6 seal pups were rescued in a short period of time but all went to the UK and not rehabilitated at the GSPCA as we do now and have done for nearly a decade.
Hannah as the new pup has been called is now safe and having around the clock care with the GSPCA team and some good news as the older seal pups such as Marty are fast approaching release weight so will be back in the wild very soon.
Geoff George GSPCA Animal Collection Officer and Head of Marine Mammals said “We are hugely grateful to the member of public who called in yesterday seeing the poorly seal pup.”
“It is the latest grey seal pup we have ever rescued in the season, but its been surprising as we’ve had a few calls both here and in Jersey of late pups that have needed looking at.”
“When we arrived we found that Hannah as we have called her was very thin and has a number of ailments so required being rescued.”
“She is now in intensive care and we will update everyone once we know more and the vet has had a good look at her.”
“Marty is doing very well and we are hopeful can be released soon and Sealia and Gully are doing well, all 3 are out on the pools.”
“Mambo and Andy improve each day and now with Hannah we are being kept extremely busy and need all the help we can get with donations for their care.”
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “We now have 6 hungry seal pups which is the most we have ever had and we are appealing for their care and you can donate directly to them via these links https://giving.gg/donate/event/4617/Help-the-seal-pups-at-the-GSPCA , https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/JerseyandGuernseySealPups or direct via paypal www.paypal.me/DonateGSPCA .”
“We did have 6 seal pups in our care at one time but that was around 15 years ago and they were all sent to the RSPCA in the UK.”
“Thankfully with some changes in our current wildlife unit we have been able to accommodate them all and very soon Marty will be back in the wild followed by some of the others in the coming months.”
“With over 100 hedgehogs, 6 seal pups and Spring fast approaching with bird numbers needing our care daily it really displays the need of a Wildlife Hospital here in Guernsey.”
Geoff George continued "Hannah is the latest seal pup we have seen so it is unlikely others will be spotted, but 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 “A healthy grey seal pup should look like a fat sausage and you shouldn't be able to see 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 the seals and we are still appealing for more to help them and the many animals at the GSPCA and we also continue to appeal for fresh fish and donations to help these poorly seal pups.”
“If you don’t have any fish you can also donate to them via our online page https://giving.gg/donate/event/4617/Help-the-seal-pups-at-the-GSPCA .”
“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.”
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
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 get involved with GSPCA Purple Week http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-purple-week and help us help those in need taking place between the 8th and 15th February.
You can donate via our giving.gg page or create your own sponsored event or challenge - https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)
To donate to Hannah, Mambo, Sealia, Gully, Andy and Marty the seal pups please visit - https://giving.gg/donate/event/4617/Help-the-seal-pups-at-the-GSPCA or www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jerseyandguernseysealpups
To donate to help Harley the staffys life saving operations Just Giving page please visit - https://giving.gg/donate/event/4622/Please-help-Harley-s-operation-and-care
To visit the Just Giving page raising funds for life saving Intensive Care Units please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gspcaintensivecare or to buy one directly for the Shelter please visit https://brinsea.co.uk/small-animal-care/tlc-intensive-care-incubators/tlc-30-advance/
To become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.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
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 donate to the animals in our care another via our paypal page - 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]
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
On Tuesday 5th March 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 our Amazon Wish list please visit - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/25MJPPDAGXHL1?type=WishList
For lots more ideas 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 find out more on trips, talks and our education work please email [email protected] or call 01481 257261
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