White coat grey seal pup rescued by Alderney Animal Welfare Society now at the GSPCA intensive care seal room
Submitted by Steve on 23:44, 14th Nov, 2016 |
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This afternoon the GSPCA received a call about a Grey Seal Pup from Alderney.
Alderney Animal Welfare Society called after a white coat seal pup had been spotted over the past two days with no mother in site.
Ebony Jenkins from Alderney Animal Wildlife Society called the GSPCA for advice and sent a number of pictures to GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne. The decision was made due to the condition of the pup, injuries, weight and no sign of a mother and if the pup wasn't rescued it would be extremely unlikely to survive as they are reliant on their mothers while they have their white coats.
The seal pup was transported from the beach and brought by air to Guernsey where it was collected just before 7pm by Animal Collection Officer Geoff George who not only is off today but also it is his birthday.
Geoff arrived at the Shelter just after 7pm where Steve Byrne and the team at the GSPCA had prepared the intensive care room in the wildlife unit ready for the pup.
On closer inspection the pup is very thin and has a number of cuts and scrapes. It also still has part of the umbilical cord still attached which means the pup is only days old still with its white coat.
Now under a heat lamp and in the care of the team at the GSPCA the seal pup rescued by Alderney Animal Welfare Society has arrived safely.
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said "This is the first grey seal pup of this breeding season and is very early, in fact the earliest and youngest we have had."
“In the last 5 years we have rescued, rehabilitated and released 5 grey seal pups locally.”
"The pup is extremely young and we are doing everything we can do help this very poorly animal and we are all hoping it survives the first night."
"A huge thank you to Geoff who has come in on his day off and his birthday to help will the seal pup."
“We often help other Channel Islands when we are asked and we have successfully helped with a Buzzard and 15 Cockatiels from Alderney this year and even a Long Eared Owl from Sark”
“A huge thanks to those helping transport the seal this afternoon and we will do everything we can for this little pup and keep everyone up date when we can.”
Geoff George Animal Collection Officer said "We have given the seal pup some rehydration fluids and treating it through the night."
"It is very young and with its white coat only a few days old at most."
"We will do everything we can for this very young seal pup at the GSPCA."
For advice on what to do if you see a seal pup -
Every Autumn the shores of the Bailiwick see Grey Seal pups being born and today with a Common Seal Pup being rescued in Alderney the GSPCA are issuing advice on what to do especially as this is the second in a week to be rescued in the Channel Islands.
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.
Pictured above is Jethou Bumblebee and Hanois two Grey Seals GSPCA staff rescued and cared for which were released on Jethou April 2013.
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.
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