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The staff and volunteers at Guernsey's animal shelter have stepped in to take on the care of another grey seal pup rescued off the coast of Jersey this week.
The GSPCA has the facilities and experience to do so, and now routinely takes on the care of seal pups who need help across the Channel Islands.
Andrew the Jersey seal pup, being cared for by the GSPCA. from Bailiwick Express on Vimeo.
Andrew is believed to be as young as just 7-12 days and was only 17kg when he was brought to the island yesterday lunchtime.
Described as a "feisty" baby seal, he was rescued from a slipway near Le Fregate Café in St Helier, earlier this week during stormy weather. He was sleeping at the time but was visibly underweight, and was dehydrated. There was no sign of Andrew's mum, and as seals are more often found at the Minquiers off the south coast of Jersey, there was immediate concern for his health.
Pictured: Andrew was found near this restaurant in Jersey.
Volunteers christened him Andrew with New Marine mammal medic Martine Venton-Heys accompanying him on the Blue Islands flight from Jersey to Guernsey.
GSPCA President John Knight had gone over to Jersey to give the sick seal pup "a full health check" and GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne said they're all keeping "our fingers and toes crossed he hasn’t any serious underlying injuries or illness."
Mr Byrne said Andrew the grey seal pup "is extremely thin and the youngest pup we have had in many years.
“He should be close to 40kgs but is a painfully thin 17kg so would have really struggled to survive if he hadn’t been rescued."
Pictured: Andrew the seal pup was described as 'feisty' when he was rescued in Jersey.
Geoff George who is the main carer for Seals at the GSPCA is now looking after the pup. He said it is important everyone knows what to do if they spot a seal pup who needs help.
"Grey Seal Pups are often born from the end of October around the Bailiwick of Guernsey and we like to let the public know what to do if they see one.
"With bad weather seal pups can often get separated from their Mother during their first few days of life which is crucial to help with their development. This is what has likely happened with Andrew after the stormy weather we have recently had.”
Andrew is now in the GSPCA's 'seal intensive care room' and Mr George said he will need special fluids every two hours 'day and night' until he builds his strength up if he is to survive.
Pictured: Temperance the seal was rescued and cared for at the GSPCA and was successfully returned to the wild.
The number of seal pups rescued and cared for by the GSPCA has increased in recent years. Mr Byrne said every year for the last six years the charity has rescued one or two and cared for them with some surviving and being released back into the wild, while others sadly could not recover their strength enough to survive.
"A healthy grey seal pup should look like a fat sausage and you shouldn't be able to pinch the a neck, but if in doubt please send a picture in or give us a call," said Mr Byrne.
"Last year we rescued Temperance the thinnest grey seal pup to come into our care which was found at Beaucette. Earlier this year Temperance was released back in the wild on Jethou thanks to Rib Voyages.
“Last year we helped Jersey with Sami the seal pup who was released back in Jersey waters and we all have our fingers crossed for Andrew.”
Pictured: Geoff George and Steve Byrne helping to release a seal pup previously cared for by the GSPCA.
"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," Mr Byrne said.
"Only recently have wildlife enthusiasts been highlighting the dangers of dogs on the shores to birds and over the next few months seal pups will also have a possible presence, so please do take care and keep them a safe distance.
“We are currently desperately low on blankets and towels and if anyone is clearing out their cupboards please do drop them into the GSPCA as Andrew and the 500+ animals at the GSPCA are in real need for their bedding to helping handle them.”
The GSPCA also offers advice to anyone who finds an injured, sick or abandoned seal. Staff and volunteers need the following information:
Pictured top: Andrew the seal pup.
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