In the last two hours GSPCA Ambulance Driver and Head of Marine Mammals has been out to rescue what is now the third seal pup at the GSPCA.
The call came in earlier today when a dog walker spotted a grey seal pup quite high on the rocks at Vazon.
On arrival the poorly seal pup was found to have weepy eyes, nose discharge, dehydrated and a number of other injuries on its body and flippers.
On route to the GSPCA ‘Gully’ as the seal pup was called was taken to the Vetcare Centres where the pup has been dispensed medication and Gully is now safe and warm at the GSPCA.
Thankfully the GSPCA team built a new seal pen recently when Marty arrived from Jersey.
Marty is eating well and Andrew who also was rescued in Jersey is improving but is yet to eat on his own.
Geoff George GSPCA Ambulance Driver and Head of Marine Mammals said “Gully has a number of injuries, weepy eyes, nose discharge, is quite dehydrated and not the weight he should be.”
“We would rather see healthy seal pups doing well in the wild but Gully as we have called him has already seen the vet and is in our intensive seal care room.”
“Like Marty and Andrew, Gully will need around the clock care at the GSPCA.”
“This is the first time in many years we have had three seal pups at the same time and really shows the need for the Wildlife Hospital we are trying to build.”
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “Its been all hands on deck this morning helping prepare for Gully the seal pup.”
“We are so busy that even Lorna the Welfare Manager and I have been helping the team prepare for Gully who is now here at the GSPCA.”
“Gully is now safe in our current Wildlife and Seal Unit but this third seal pup really shows the need of why we need to build a purpose built Wildlife Hospital.”
“Many years ago we did reach 6 seals in our care which were all taken over to the UK.”
“Before Marty the seal pup from Jersey arrived we made a third pen which was very lucky that we did as all three are now occupied.”
“Having three soon to be hungry seal pups we are appealing for their care and you can donate directly to them viahttps://giving.gg/donate/charity/0/Select-Guernsey-charity-for-direct-donation or https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/JerseyandGuernseySealPups or via paypal www.paypal.me/DonateGSPCA .”
“Today the GSPCA team have been donating to the seals and Ellie the dog with our festive wear day today and its been a real surprise to get a third seal pup.”
To Buy a Brick in the new Wildlife Hospital and download a leaflet please click here - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Buy%20a%20Brick%20Wildlife%20Hospital.pdf
Geoff continues "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."
Steve Byrne continued “A huge thank you to all that helped prepare this morning and did so much to prepare for Gully the grey seal pup.”
"Both Andrew and Marty continue to improve each day and we will of course keep everyone up to date on their progress.”
“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 the many animals at the GSPCA and we 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 www.paypal.me/DonateGSPCA .”
“We have recently launched our Buy a Brick campaign to build a new Wildlife Hospital and to find out more please check out our leaflet or drop me a line.”
Here is information if you find an injured animal you can call us 24/7 on 257261 or check out our wildlife advice pages - http://www.gspca.org.gg/animals/wildlife-advice “
Every Autumn and Winter the shores of the Bailiwick see grey seal pups being born.
The earliest grey seal pup we have rescued in recent years was Temperance who was found during the last week of October last year.
In recent years every winter the GSPCA have helped rescue and care for grey seal pups.
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.
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.
To see some of the previous stories about seals please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/tag/seals .
Some grey seal facts -
Population numbers since 1960s have doubled
- A grey seal pup weighs 14kg at birth
- A grey seal pup mothers milk contains 60% fat
- Grey seals can dive to a depth of 70m
- Another name for a grey seal is the horsehead seal
- Grey seals are found in the waters surrounding Europe, Russia, North America, and Channel Islands
- Grey seals can be found in estuaries, inter tidal zones, brackish water, polar and shallow seas
- There are 18 known seal species in the world
To donate to Andrew, Gully and Marty the seal pups please visit - www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jerseyandguernseysealpups
To donate to help Ellie the cocker spaniels life saving operations Just Giving page please visit - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gspcaellieappeal
To visit the Just Giving page raising funds for life saving Intensive Care Units please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gspcaintensivecare or to buy one directly for the Shelter please visit https://brinsea.co.uk/small-animal-care/tlc-intensive-care-incubators/tlc-30-advance/
To become a Christmas Angel Pen Pal Sponsor or to give as a gift please click this link to download a form - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20Christmas%20special.pdf
To download a Corporate Angel Pen Pal form please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Corporate%20Angel%20Pen%20Pal%20sponsor%20formnew.pdf
To Buy a Brick in the new Wildlife Hospital and download a leaflet please click here - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Buy%20a%20Brick%20Wildlife%20Hospital.pdf
Some awards open for nominations currently are –
The ADCH & Petplan Awards - https://www.petplan.co.uk/about-petplan/charities/
The Ceva Animal Welfare Awards – http://www.cevawelfareawards.com/
To find out more on trips, talks and our education work please email [email protected] or call 01481 257261
To donate to the animals in our care please visit - www.paypal.me/DonateGSPCA
If you would like to help at one of our upcoming events please give Michelle a call on 257261 or email [email protected]
If you would like to find out more on how you can support the shelter and the animals in our care then please visit our fundraising page www.gspca.org.gg/fundraising
To see some of the animals looking for homes at the GSPCA please visit – http://www.gspca.org.gg/animals
Another way to support us is our on site Charity Shop and refreshment area and to find out more please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-onsite-charity-shop
If your group or business would like to find out about spending a day at the Shelter please go to -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/corporate-and-group-days
For other ways your business can help us here at the GSPCA please go to -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/how-your-business-can-help-gspca-corporate-sponsorship
To find out our opening hours and when you can visit some of the animals in our care please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-opening-visiting-times
To see some of the animals looking for homes please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/animals
On Monday 7th January we have a volunteer induction evening and for more information and additional induction dates please visit http://gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers or call 257261
To see our upcoming guided tours please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/services/guided-tours-gspca
To see our Wish List on our website please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list
To visit the details on the Urgent Kennel Floor Appeal please visit - www.gspca.org.gg/blog/urgent-kennel-floor-appeal-%E2%80%93-kennel-flooring-work-discovers-need-new-drains-and-completely-ripp
To learn about the ‘Buy a Brick’ in the new Wildlife Hospital and find out more please click here - http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-launch-buy-brick-proposed-new-wildlife-hospital
To learn more about our biggest project, become an Exclusive Build Partner and support our Wildlife Hospital please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-exclusive-build-partner
To visit our Amazon Wish list please visit - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/25MJPPDAGXHL1?type=WishList
To set up a Just Giving page to do some fund raising for our work or animals in our care please visit - https://www.justgiving.com/gspca Or a Giving.gg page please visit - https://giving.gg/donate/charity/0/Select-Guernsey-charity-for-direct-donation
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