TWO troubled seal pups have been rescued by RSPCA Cymru officers during the Christmas period.
The first seal pup – which was found underweight, exhausted and with an injury under the chin – was rescued from the beach between Aberthaw and Gileston on Saturday 22 December by RSPCA inspectors Sophie Daniels and Selina Griffiths.
The seal was then transferred to RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre in Taunton, Somerset, that evening for rehabilitation.
The second seal was rescued from the beach at Monkstone Point near Saundersfoot on Boxing Day by RSPCA animal collection officer Ellie West and RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben.
ACO West said: “This seal pup was underweight but luckily didn’t have any injuries. It took us quite a while to walk to the beach and then we had lots of steps to go down to reach the pup – we counted 207 – so we definitely walked off any food from Christmas Day for sure.
“The seal was then taken to Welsh Marine Life Rescue (WMLR) and then on 28 December went onto RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Nantwich for rehabilitation along with three other seals that WMLR had taken in from us recently.
“Looking back at this seal season, we have had around 92 incidents in the South West Wales area, and 57 of these seals have been collected by us. We’d very much like to thank Welsh Marine Life Rescue for their assistance as we are very grateful for all their help.”
Once the seal pups have had a period of rehabilitation and are fit and ready, they will be released back into the wild.
ACO West added: “RSPCA Cymru is here to help, and we would urge anyone who has any concerns about a seal pup or seal to keep at a safe distance and contact our 24-hour emergency line on 0300 1234 999. An unhealthy seal pup looks thin with a visible neck, like a dog.
“It’s important the public never approach seals and keep any dogs well away and on a lead, as these are wild animals and can have a nasty bite.”
For more information about what to do if you see a seal or pup on the beach alone, please visit the website: www.rspca.org.uk/
If you wish to help RSPCA Cymru, you can donate online. The RSPCA is a charity and relies on public donations.
