Skinniest seal pup takes her first dip

Tuesday 27 March 2018

The thinnest seal pup rescued to date by the GSPCA is pleasing her carers with her continued recovery.

Temperance was found in a very poorly condition at Beaucette Marina in November and has been in the care of the GSPCA at the animal shelter in St Andrew's since then.

The animal welfare charity said the grey seal pup was "injured and very poorly" when she was rescued and at that time she was the thinnest the GSPCA had taken into its care. Now, the seal pup has more than doubled her weight and yesterday spent time in the pool at the GSPCA's headquarters.

The charity said "it has been a long road in her care to get her fit enough to get her to where she is today" adding that while staff wanted to film Temperance enjoying her swim, she entered the water too quickly for them to film it.

Geoff George, Animal Collection Officer and main carer for the seals at the GSPCA, said: “Temperance is feeding well and improving each day and today she took her first dip in our outside pool at the GSPCA. We were hoping to video her take her first dip but she was that keen we just didn’t have time.”

GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne added that it is "fantastic to see Temperance in one of our rehab pools here at the GSPCA and to see her doing so well.”

Mr Byrne said she is eating "extremely well", including more than 20 fish a day, which has helped her more than double her weight since being rescued: “It is costing over £5 per meal as she is eating so much fish and we’d like to thank all those that have donated to her care and to anyone that can help us help her it is hugely appreciated."

Mr Byrne also warned the GSPCA is entering another busy season adding that advice is available on its website: 

“Although we are past the main seal pup season it is coming into Spring when we get very busy with baby wildlife found abandoned and for help and information if you find an injured animal you can call us 24/7 on 257261 or check out our wildlife advice pages."