Maya the first Jersey 2024 grey seal pup rescued now at the GSPCA

On the 6th January BDMLR Channel Islands posted

‘We had a call about an underweight, 5-6 week old, grey seal pup yesterday, hauled out at Corbiere Causeway. Many thanks to Richard for calling her in.

On initial assessment she was fiesty and alert, although notably underweight, and was trying to snooze as the tide dropped.

She would have been going through the motions of being recently moulted & weaned and learning to feed for herself. In that time they are living off the fat reserves they had built up with mum, and if they successfully can start to feed they will start to get bigger and stronger. There was evidence on the rocks that she had started recently feeding herself.

However on closer inspection from our coordinator it was noted there was quite the swelling to the left side of her face and she was very dehydrated. With darkness falling and the signs of a nasty infection it was decided to bring her in for further investigations with the veterinary team at New Era Veterinary Hospital.

She weighed in at 21kg, not ideal to be surviving in these stormy seas with a mouth infection. She was administered antibiotics and fluid by New Era vet Riccardo whilst a plan was made.

Today the swelling has gone down slightly and she is much more hydrated. Although she is still not great to be released.

Luckily the wonderful GSPCA have agreed they will take her into rehab in Guernsey rather than her be released to soon, whilst fighting an infection.

She has been named Maya and will join Jersey pups, Faulkner & Jem, later this weekend. With huge thanks to Iris Freight CI for agreeing to transport her.

Update from River in Guernsey. Faulkner & Jem are doing really well and maybe released back to the wild in a month if all stay well.

There will be other weaned pups out there struggling in the stormy seas. If you do find one please remember:

> to stay well back

> never chase back to the sea

> put dogs on leads and take them away

> and call the JSPCA Animals' Shelter on 724331 if in Jersey

> GSPCA, Guernsey SPCA if in Guernsey

> Alderney Animal Welfare Society if in Alderney

Good luck little Maya (named by her finder)’

GSPCA Head of Marine Mammals Geoff George headed to the bay where he were faced with a grey seal pup extremely thin and needing rescuing.

To make a donation to help the seals in our care please go to https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)

Geoff George GSPCA Head of Marine Mammals said “We have been tube feeding Maya the Jersey seal pup since arriving.”

“She has a nasty swelling on her muzzle which is being treated and at 21kgs is half the weight a healthy pup should be and was dehydrated when she arrived into care.”

“She joins Faulkner and Jem the seal pups from Jersey and Grinch and Baby Shark 2 a local pups, all are doing well and all are eating on their own and are swimming in our pools.”

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “Maya is the 5^th pup this season and the first of 2024 to be rescued in Jersey to come to us.”

“Maya travelled safely from Jersey and is now at our intensive care area for seals which we are hoping to rebuild this year.”

“We weren’t planning on caring for seals long term this season and we have a number of challenges and really need help.”

“One was storage and we must say a huge thanks to Ferry Speed who are kindly housing the pallets of fish we are using for the seal pups, it is really appreciated.”

“We do need mackerel and herring if anyone has any but feeding poorly animals we animals need in date human edible quality to ensure we give the seal pups the best diet and chance to build their health.”

“The recent months have seen many challenges as many of our outer aviaries, pens, fences and equipment were sadly damaged or destroyed due to Storm Ciaran.”

"Due to the storm we have launched an Urgent Appeal for funds due to the damage as we need to clear fallen trees and build new enclosures which can be seen by going to https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-launches-urgent-fundraising-appeal-wake-storm-ciaran .”

“As well as funds we really need a couple of portakabins to house some of the displaced animals including the seals during the rebuild until we can build new enclosures and also ahead of our BIG BUILD.”

“Maya, Faulkner, Jem, Grinch, Baby Shark and Barnacle Bill the loggerhead turtle are just 6 of the casualties due to the recent storms.”

“In the last decade we have released 32 grey seal pups back into the wild.”

"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, although we are only a call away on 257261."

"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 and 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."

“The pup season is now here again and if you do see a seal pup please do give us a call on 257261 or send a few pictures via our facebook or [email protected] so we can monitor them.”

“For advice on what to do and how to identify a sick seal pup check out our advice page http://www.gspca.org.gg/animal/seal-advice “

“There are many ways to support our work and the seal pups from making a donation towards their care to donating or helping towards the new much needed Wildlife Hospital.”

“To make a donation to help the seals in our care please go to https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)  .”

“You can also donate by calling  01481 257261, by post to GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey GY6 8UD or popping up to the Shelter in St Andrews.”

“To make a direct donation to the Wildlife Hospital please visit - https://giving.gg/donate/event/4618/Please-Support-the-GSPCA-Wildlife-Hospital-Appeal .”

“To Buy a Brick in the new Wildlife Hospital and download a leaflet please click here - Buy a Brick for Christmas and help us build a Wildlife Hospital in Guernsey | GSPCA Guernsey .”

“Larger donors or corporates may want to make a larger donation and become an Exclusive Build Partner and to find out more please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-exclusive-build-partner .”

"For lots of ways to support our work in our 150th year please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-150th-ball-st-pierre-park-hotel-saturday-30th-september-tickets-sale-and-could-you-spon-0 ."

“We also have our 150th Ball on the 10th February and to find out more please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/book-now-main-entertainment-announced-gspca-150-year-ball-during-gspca-purple-week-saturday-10t .”

To see videos of the seal pups please check out GSPCA Guernsey - YouTube

If You Spot A Seal Pup

If you find a seal pup that looks FIT AND HEALTHY and it shows no signs of distress, you may consider monitoring it from a safe distance for 24 hours. Unfortunately, too many seal pups get taken into captivity because people think they have been abandoned. If the mother does not return within 24 hours, we would ask you to contact 01481 257261.

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 our 24-hour cruelty and advice line

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.

For any questions please contact 01481 257261

Please remember and keep your animals and pets safe during the high winds, especially those that are kept outdoors.

Here is a table of the seals we have helped back to the wild and those in our care -

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 species of seal in the world
• Many sick seal pups need tube feeding every 2-3 hours day and night on arrival
• The seal pups in our care once eating will consume 20-30 herring or mackerel each day
• We aim for a release weight in excess of 40 kg, with good weather and a remote location
• The GSPCA has returned 32 seals back to the wild in the last ten years

For advice on what to do if you see or find sick or injured wildlife please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/animals/wildlife-advice or call 01481 257261

Steve continued “There are many ways you can help support our vital 24/7 work and donate or raise funds for the hundreds of animals in our care.”

“This year is our 150^th celebrations and to get involved with lots of ways to support our work please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-celebrating-150-years .”

“To make a donation or support our BIGGEST BUILD Appeal please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/biggest-appeal-ever-gspca-big-build-appeal-buy-brick-build-brighter-future-animals-guernsey .”

“We also have our 150th Ball on the 10th February with some amazing acts and speakers and to find out more please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/book-now-main-entertainment-announced-gspca-150-year-ball-during-gspca-purple-week-saturday-10t .”

“With over 100 hedgehogs, 5 seal pups, loggerhead turtle, dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, fish, reptiles and many birds we help over 3000 animals through the doors every year.”

“If you would like to support our Amazon Wish List and see lists of items that we use every day and things that we are appealing for.”

“If would like to help with wish list items you can call us on 01481 25721 or email [email protected] or the easy way to see many items we are in need  is by going to our Amazon Wish List https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/25MJPPDAGXHL1?type=WishList .”

“We do promote buying items locally but shopping online can help raise funds at the same time as if you select the GSPCA through easy fund raising part of the amount through 1000’s of online retailers comes back to the GSPCA and it has raised over £2500.”

“To sign up to do this please visit http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/guernseyspca/?u=1CHID8 .”

“As mentioned you can always chose to donate via local stores and the Amazon Wish List is a shop front showing some of the items we need but there are many others and we have published these on our Wish List page http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list .”

“A gift of a tiny bowl costing less than a £1 to a £600 intensive care unit, every donation is hugely appreciated and really makes the team smile that there are those that care and want to support our work.”

“Another amazing way to support our work is by just a couple of pounds each month can make a massive difference in helping the animals in our care and to find out more please go to http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf .”

“To make a donation you can go to https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA) .”  

“We couldn’t do so much without your support.”

Donate

Donate by calling  01481 257261, by post to GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey GY6 8UD or online https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)

GSPCA BIGGEST BUILD Appeal

For details please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/biggest-appeal-ever-gspca-big-build-appeal-buy-brick-build-brighter-future-animals-guernsey

GSPCA 150th Year Ball Saturday 30th September

To find out more - https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-150th-ball-st-pierre-park-hotel-saturday-30th-september-tickets-sale-and-could-you-spon-0

BIGGEST BUILD APPEAL

The GSPCA have the BIGGEST BUILD APPEAL in our 150 year history and to find out more please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/biggest-appeal-ever-gspca-big-build-appeal-buy-brick-build-brighter-future-animals-guernsey

GSPCA Celebrates 150 years in 2023

This year the GSPCA celebrate 150 years and to find out more please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-celebrating-150-years

Sponsored Event

Why not create your own sponsored event or challenge - https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)

For lots more ideas why not visit our fundraising page www.gspca.org.gg/fundraising

Wish List

Check out our wish list page from the smallest of items to our biggest of projects there are many ways to support us - http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list

To visit our Amazon Wish list to see some of the items we need to help the wildlife please visit - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/25MJPPDAGXHL1?type=WishList

GSPCA Wildlife Hospital Appeal

To make a direct donation please visit - https://giving.gg/donate/event/4618/Please-Support-the-GSPCA-Wildlife-Hospital-Appeal

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

Larger donors or corporates may want to make a larger donation and become an Exclusive Build Partner and to find out more please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-exclusive-build-partner

Legacies & Bequests

By leaving a gift to the GSPCA in your Will really helps us to improve the lives of animals into the future.  After providing for those you care for, please consider leaving a proportion of what remains to the GSPCA it is so appreciated and makes a real lasting legacy.

A gift like this to the GSPCA ensures our animals and those in Guernsey will always have someone to keep them safe. To find out more please http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/gifts-wills-and-funding 

Gift Aid on Donations over £500

To find out about the States of Guernsey tax relief information on gift aid up to 2020 on donations totalling between £500 and £5000 please see the details by going to https://www.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=2617&p=0

2021 gift aid is from £500 and up to £7500 and here are the details - https://www.gov.gg/article/151830/Income-tax-relief

To download the form to claim for 2020 or before please follow this link https://www.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=1994&p=0

Become a sponsor and GSPCA member

Why become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor and support our work each month please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf

To become a Corporate Angel Pen Pal form for your business to sponsor animals in our care each year please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Corporate%20Angel%20Pen%20Pal%20sponsor%20formnew.pdf  

Share our posts and follow us on social media

Many of you will have seen us on social media and your support liking and sharing our posts is really appreciated, and to visit our social media pages please go to

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GuernseySPCA

Twitter https://twitter.com/GSPCA

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gspca-guernsey-965b0751/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gspca_guernsey/

Subscribe to our Supporters Newsletter

To subscribe to our supporters newsletter and find out about upcoming events and news please go to https://us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9324335c87c8b3ec9f0016f2a&id=e61c951a08

Below are our usual opening times but these are occasionally adjusted to ensure we provide the best of care for the animals and those needing our 24/7 help, in an emergency please call 01481 257261

Upcoming Events we are at and need your help -

Are you supporting the GSPCA our 150th year? Here are a few ways you could get involved | GSPCA Guernsey

GSPCA Purple Week Friday 9th – Friday 16th February 2024 

GSPCA 150th Year Ball – Saturday 10th February 2024 https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/book-now-main-entertainment-announced-gspca-150-year-ball-during-gspca-purple-week-saturday-10t  

Tuesday 13th February 2024 630pm Volunteer Induction Evening https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers

Dog First Aid 6.30pm - 8.45pm Tuesday 12th March 2024 - Ref - Dog 12/3 https://www.gspca.org.gg/services/training-courses

Cat First Aid 6.30pm - 8.45pm Tuesday 19th March 2024 - Ref - Cat 19/3 https://www.gspca.org.gg/services/training-courses

Tuesday 16th April 2024 630pm Volunteer Induction Evening https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers

Wednesday 12th June 2024 630pm Volunteer Induction Evening https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers

Tuesday 23rd July 2024 630pm Volunteer Induction Evening https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers

Tuesday 10th September 2024 630pm Volunteer Induction Evening https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers

Tuesday 5th November 2024 630pm Volunteer Induction Evening https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers

Dog First Aid 6.30pm - 8.45pm Tuesday 12th November 2024 - Ref - Dog 12/9 https://www.gspca.org.gg/services/training-courses

Cat First Aid 6.30pm - 8.45pm Tuesday 19th November 2024 - Ref - Cat 19/9 https://www.gspca.org.gg/services/training-courses

Many more events will be added and dates to be confirmed and if you have any events or ideas to celebrate our 150 years please get in touch…………..