Last week Andrew the Jersey Grey Seal Pup was rescued and transported to the GSPCA.
At only 17kgs and less than a week old this very pretty young seal pup should have still been with his mum and not in the emaciated condition as he was found.
Andrew has a very bad chest infection and desperately underweight and has been receiving care around the clock day and night.
Rescued by the Jersey British Divers Marine Life Rescue with help from the JSPCA, cared for overnight at New Era Vets and kindly transported to Guernsey by Blue Islands last week we are pleased to report that Andrew seems to be improving but he has a long road ahead of him.
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “Geoff George and the team continue to provide around the clock care for Andrew.”
“He still has his white coat which mean he must have been only days old when he was found.”
Geoff George Animal Collection Officer and main carer for Seals at the GSPCA said "Andrew seems to be doing well but he is still very weak and it is still very early days.”
"If anyone spots a seal pup 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 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 continue to appeal for more as we use them for so many of the 500 animals in our care or you can 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.”
To download the Buy a Brick leaflet please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-launch-buy-brick-proposed-new-wildlife-hospital
To see Andrews arrival story please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/white-coat-jersey-grey-seal-pup-arrives-gspca-and-appeal-blankets-and-towels
Every Autumn 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.
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
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