Scottish SPCA: Seal pups nursed back to health as rescue numbers surge
The charity has launched a fundraising appeal as more seals than ever are in need of urgent care.
Scotland’s leading animal welfare charity said it had been “pushed to the limits” as it cares for a record number of grey seals at its rescue centre.
The SSPCA said 90 grey seal pups have been admitted to the rescue centre within five months, with each demanding 64 days of intensive care and rehabilitation before being released back into the wild.
The charity took in a group of 25 harbour seals, several of them orphans, last May after the rescue season started earlier than normal due to unseasonably warm weather. At one stage it was caring for around 50 grey seal pups at the National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fishcross, Clackmannanshire.
Among the seals being nursed back to health is Zelda, a newborn grey seal pup, which arrived at the centre in December weighing just 14.3kg after suffering a suspected animal attack, which left her with deep, extremely painful wounds all over her body.
After receiving intensive treatment and pain relief from staff at the centre, her wounds began to heal - and over the course of the last three months she has slowly grown in confidence despite the “lasting emotional scar” left by the brutal attack.
She since been paired with several companion seals, Ducky, Piggy, and then Skittles, as she adjusts to being back outside in the natural world.
“The two are navigating their life in recovery together as they build confidence,” a spokesperson for the centre said.
“They are making amazing progress – but the work isn’t done just yet.
“Centre staff will continue to care for them, amongst the other seals, until they are ready for release.”
The charity’s spokesperson said the latest surge in grey seal admissions is being driven by “human interference” including people disturbing pregnant seals and dog attacks.
The charity has launched a fundraising appeal to help it continue proving emergency care amid the influx of rescues.
Scotland is home to around 90 per cent of the UK’s seal population.
Harbour seals, often found around sheltered shores and estuaries, are already vulnerable with their population on the west coast declining by around 20 per cent in recent years.
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