Seal pups suffering in recent severe weather

Influx of poorly seals at our wildlife centres

09.01.12

An influx of storm-blown young seals have been taken to our wildlife centres for help after bad weather hit just as they had been weaned.

There are now nearly 60 very sick seals in the four centres, located at different ends of the country, with a large number of them arriving in the last windy week.

Young seals unable to cope in stormy waters

It is thought that the rough weather came at the worst time possible for grey seal pups - just at the point when they had been left by their mothers and were set to launch themselves into the sea on their own.

 

East Winch Wildlife Centre in Norfolk is caring for a total of 41 seals, at least 24 of which have arrived during the recent bad weather. Alison Charles, manager at the centre said:
 

There have been about four coming in a day since the wind started, most of them just unable to deal with the conditions out there.

There have been some older common seals who are very sick and covered with wounds from being bashed against the pebbly beach, but most are juvenile grey seals.

It is very unfortunate timing as the winds and rough seas came at the exact point in the year when grey seals are left to fend for themselves and make their own way into the water.

It would be incredibly hard work for the inexperienced swimmer to navigate such waters, and many of them just couldn’t cope and were found floundering on beaches or rocks.

In one case, a pup was found by a kindly fisherman who felt so sorry for it he put his fishing tent around it for protection while waiting for the rescue services to arrive. He even fed it some of the fish he had caught.

 

Stranded seals across the country

All four of our wildlife centres were affected – with many seals brought to them after being found stranded on beaches or rocks, thought to be victims of stormy conditions.
 

• East Winch Wildlife Centre in Norfolk is well known for its specialist facilities for seals and nearby seal population. They had by far the largest influx of storm-blown seals.
   
• West Hatch Wildlife Centre in Somerset has 10 seals in its care in total - six since the start of the blustery weather.
   
• Mallydams Wood Centre in East Sussex has had six since December – most of which were juveniles rescued from beaches.
   
• Stapeley Grange in Cheshire, which due to its location does not normally have the same numbers of seals coming through its doors, had two poorly juveniles in over the Christmas period.

Have you found a stranded seal?

If you find a stranded seal pup please do not touch the youngster – they give a nasty bite!

Get advice on what you should do if you find a distressed seal.

• Read our FAQ - stranded seal pups.

How you can help

Please, help us to continue our work and rescue animals like these seals by making a donation. Ring: 0300 123 8000 (24 hours) or make a donation online today.

Thank you.