GSPCA takes in a fourth seal pup

Monday 07 January 2019

Guernsey's animal shelter now has four seal pups in its care - after another was rescued off the north west coast of the island over the weekend.

Nicknamed 'Sealia' by her rescuers, she was found in a very poorly condition just behind the 'Smelly Pond' on Route de Pulias.

She is thought to be just four weeks old and had a number of injuries when the GSPCA wardens picked her up as well as being dehydrated.

The GSPCA staff now have her in the shelter's intensive care area - which is already busy with three other grey seal pups under observation.

Pictured: Jersey seal pup Marty was rescued just before Christmas. 

Jersey seal pups Marty and Andrew and locally rescued seal pup Gully are all in the care of the GSPCA at the moment and the charity said they "continue to improve" however the staff and volunteers do need donations of things like towels to help with their care and also mackerel and herring to feed them.

Pictured: Andrew the seal pup, rescued in Jersey. 

GSPCA Animal Collection Officer and Head of Marine Mammals, Geoff George, said they were alerted to the latest seal emergency by a member of the public.

“We are hugely grateful to the member of public who called in after seeing the poorly seal pup and to all the team that helped with the rescue and prepare the seal pen for Sealia," he said. “Sealia is about 4 weeks of age and despite being quite lively when we tried to capture her she is very poorly and very underweight.”

Pictured: Gully, rescued at Vazon last year. 

Mr George said Sealia joins Guernsey seal pup Gully and Jersey seal pups Marty and Andrew who are all doing well.

“Marty is doing very well, so now has access to one of our pools and Andrew and Gully strengthen each day," he said.

Mr George continued "It is getting late in the pup season 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."

The GSPCA Manager, Steve Byrne, also said; "Gully, Andrew and Marty continue to improve each day and we will of course keep everyone up to date on their progress as well as Sealia.

“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.”

Pictured top: Sealia.