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Seven seal pups are being cared for at the animal shelter after another was rescued this week pushing the GSPCA's facilities almost to its limit.
The shelter has a pool and wet area where the seals are kept, but with seven of different ages all currently requiring care the charity manager said they are nearing their capacity now.
Steve Byrne said the latest seal pup to come into their care was rescued from Petit Bot last Saturday.
Now called Cleopatra, she is being looked after by Geoff George, the charity's Head of Marine Mammals, who said she was "very poorly, weak hydrated, very snotty and less than half the weight she should be".
Cleopatra is now being fed around the clock - eating fresh haddock and mackerel - helping her to gain weight and strength in the hope that she can soon be release back into the wild.
Six other seal pups are being cared for at the GSPCA - they are Aurora; rescued in Jersey in November 2021, Luna C; rescued in Guernsey in December 2021, Shakespeare; rescued in Jersey in October last year, and Emilia, Echo and Hector who were all rescued in Guernsey last month.
Mr Byrne said this has been the busiest time they've ever had for caring for seals.
“Both Hector and Echo are the most recent from the Crimbo Limbo period and are doing well as are Shakespeare who was rescued in Jersey in October and Emilia rescued in December in Guernsey.
“In the last decade we have rescued and released 23 grey seal pups back into the wild and the seven in our care are keeping us very busy.”
He said that having seven seal pups in their care at any one time means they are limited on space and having to buy in much more fish than usual.
"You could say we are almost to our capacity but we can adapt areas if needed, and it is why we really need a new Wildlife Hospital as we've been seeing record breaking numbers of wildlife in recent years.
"With regards fish, we are having to buy it freshly caught in pallets as each seal eats 20-30 fish a day so all donations are so important and we are so grateful."Recent rough weather won't have been safe for seal pups so Mr Byrne has asked anyone who comes across one who needs help to call the charity on 257261.
“The recent rough weather caused many wildlife casualties and when around the coast please keep a close eye for other poorly animals," he said
"We have some great web pages with advice on what to do if you see a seal pup which are being born at this time of year or oiled birds which are often found during stormy weather, we are only a call away.
"With young seal pups the main piece of advice is to please not approach them as you can scare their mother away and if you see one to please call us on 257261 and we can make sure they are safe or give advice. For those out with dogs please don't let them approach seal pups as this can scare their mothers off and if they were to bite your dog they can cause a nasty injury. As well as wildlife we have to ensure our own pets and animals are safe and secure with the high winds as we often see dogs escaping from gates being blown open to farm animals escaping.
"We are extremely busy at the GSPCA ensuring our animals are safe with the high winds and cold weather we have at this time of year."
WATCH: Rescued seal pups released back into the wild
LETTER: If you spot a seal pup
Joey the seal "doing well" after first week
Severely underweight seal rescued by GSPCA
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