Seal
pup call, Bridlington
18th Feb 2007
Sunday 18th
February 14.30hrs. I received a call from Jason Carter informing
me of a seal on the beach at Bridlington, below the spa. I
had just received a call from the Maritime & Coastguard Agency
[MCA] about the same seal. An MCA officer had been out to look,
and said the pup was healthy but he was concerned about the amount
of MOP's with children & dogs around it. I contacted Tracy Guild
who said she was available to take a look and she contacted Gary
Bolton MMM. As there was no initial response from Gary [he was driving
out of area], Tracy called back to ask if I was available to accompany
her. Ryan, my son, also offered his services so we set of to Bridlington
together.
When
we arrived, the promenade was heaving with 'cumfots' enjoying the
sunshine and the beach. We quickly pin pointed where the pup was
due to the large crowd which had gathered. The pup was against the
sea wall with the tide coming in and not a lot of beach left. There
were 2 beach wardens guarding the pup from dogs and people, goodness
knows what would have happened if they hadn't been there.
The
pup was a fat healthy, male grey seal whose main aim was to have
a rest. Ryan quickly caught the pup and Tracy went to move the car
closer to us, as I had decided it needed to be relocated for its
own safety. Ryan and I got the pup into the seal bag and took it
to the car. We transferred the pup to the vari-kennel and took it
down the coast to Fraisthorpe, where we released him.
On
our way back to Scarborough, at 16.30hrs, I received another call
from Jason. He asked where were we and how long would it take us
to get to Ruswarp near Whitby. We thought we had had an easy afternoon!
Jason had received a call from RSPCA ACO, Alan Farr, informing us
of a seal in the field adjacent to the river Esk. The first informant
had said she had seen a seal in the middle of a flooded field, and
had thought it had half a front flipper missing. She said there
didn't appear to be any blood loss. We were about 45mins away and
racing the receding light. We got to the area to find several fields
flooded and, with the help of Debbie's first informant over the
phone, we pin pointed where she had seen the pup. Even at that time
of day, the area was still busy with people and dogs. We searched
the river banks and fields until we could no longer see, but didn't
see any sign of the seal. I can only presume that the pup had been
resting and had tucked his flip up, as they often do. We haven't
had any more reports of the seal to date.
On
our return home, at 18.40hrs, I called Jason to tell him what we
knew. He joked that he wouldn't call again for a couple of hours.
However, 20mins later he called back to tell me that there was another
seal at Bridlington. It was in spitting distance to where we had
lifted the seal from earlier in the afternoon, the harbour slipway.
I called Gerrard, the harbour warden, and he offered to go and check
the seal for me. He phoned back 15 mins later to say the pup was
fat & feisty and hauled out to have a rest. He had moved the
public on after explaining that the pup was healthy. Gerrard said
he would check it again before he went off shift, and I arranged
to call the next day to see if it was still there. I spoke to Andy,
another harbour warden, at 09.00hrs. The pup had left on the high
tide during the night.
Thank
you to Tracy Guild, for being my chauffeur for the day. Thanks to
Ryan for his excellent assessment of the first pup and helping with
the search.
Thanks to Brid Harbour wardens Gerrard & Andy & the beach
wardens [sorry I didn't get your names].
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Sunday
[again!] 25th Feb 15.50hrs.
Tracy had come around for a social chat and we had just discussed
that we had done well, not getting called out. We were having a
final cup of coffee before Tracy was heading home when she received
a call from Tony Woodley. It was to inform her of a seal pup possibly
injured on the beach at South Landing, Flamborough. Tony said the
first informant [Mr Jones] had concerns for the pup, who appeared
to have injuries to its back. Tracy told Tony where she was and
told him we'd both be responding and off we went again, for another
Sunday jaunt!
We
called Ryan [who was out socialising] and picked him up en route.
We arrived at Flamborough at approx 16.30hrs [Sunday drivers!!]
and found the pup after about 10 mins half a mile up the beach.
Tracy had noted, from a distance, that it had difficulties breathing
and monitored its breathing rate before we disturbed it. BPM 21,
continuous breathing. Ryan caught the pup whilst I was getting the
necessary equipment out of my back pack. When he 'jumped' the pup
she was lively, but because of her breathing problems he wasn't
firm enough with his handling being worried that he'd hurt
her.
I
had just started examining the back of the pup when Ryan started
getting concerned. The pup was breath holding and struggling to
get away. So, he let go! After I got over the initial shock, I quickly
caught the pup, examined her and with help put her in the seal bag.
The pup was a this-seasons grey seal, female, approx 28 kg, normal
temperature but she was really struggling to breathe. Tracy and
Ryan carried the pup back to the car where I took her out of the
seal bag to examine some bleeding areas on her back. They looked
like dog bites and scratches. I also washed her eyes and nose as
they were caked in dried mucus and sand, and wiped her face [Making
her more comfortable for the journey].
I
spoke to Alan Stewart and asked him to contact James Barnett for
advice. My dilemma was, the pup was well weighted, no temperature,
quite active but not aggressive, but with a continuous BPM of up
to 26. Whilst we were waiting for a call back, we put the pup in
the vari-kennel and she started coughing & sneezing brown blood
stained mucus. Advice taken, we set off to Scarborough Sealife Centre.
We arrived at 18.00hrs and everyone except for Helen [who was expecting
us] had gone home.
We
got the pup into the hospital and stayed to assist Helen as the
pup was a bit larger than the pups of late, and not easy to handle.
The pup weighed in excess of 25kg [the pup scale only goes up to
25kg and it went off that], a slightly elevated temperature 38.4,
BPM 18-26 continuous and a lump the size of a small Satsuma at the
base of her back above her tail. We were unsure of whether it was
an old injury or an abscess, but it was very hard. She was given
the necessary medicines by Helen and tubed [no easy task].
We
left the pup, now named Cough Candy, to settle down alongside our
other recent pup Treacle. Treacle has already had one course of
antibiotics for his facial swelling, which haven't worked. He's
now on a different sort and is stable and very vocal at the moment.
Thanks
as always to Tracy & Ryan, Alan Stewart for his support, James
for his advice and Helen for accommodating our pup.
So
until the same time next Sunday!!! Bye for now,
Bev
Drayton
[Assistant
coordinator Yorkshire & Humber]
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Porpoise
stranded on River Humber – Easington
15th February 2007
We received a call at home at 5.10pm from a member of the public
who’s wife is a coastguard already in attendance informing
us that he had seen a stranded porpoise on the edge of the river
Humber half an hour ago describing it as ‘barely alive’.
He informed us of its location and that the Coastguard we on scene.
We decided to assess the situation before contacting Alan as we
thought it unlikely that the porpoise would still be alive due to
their temperament. After a long muddy walk along the Humber bank
we were pleasantly surprised and I have to say shocked to find that
the porpoise was still alive. We donned our drysuits, (Neil, Jordan
and I), assessed the porpoise as best we could in the difficult
conditions. Jord sat talking to the porpoise to keep it calm, only
he brought about a chorus of laughter when he asked the porpoise
what football team it supported! It was now 5.35 and getting very
dark, the use of torches is extremely difficult when working with
porpoises as their eyes are extremely sensitive to the light. Knowing
that time was imperative, the tide was on its way out and Neil had
left his phone in his trousers pocket, in his drysuit, it would
have taken too long to contact Alan and at this stage it would have
taken too long to get other medics on scene. With the Coastguard
on the Humber with us we knew that there was no safety issue, as
they were there supporting us. We KY gelled the porpoise’s
blow hole and set off into the river hoping to re-float it, with
Humber Coastguard monitoring us. We walked out through the thick
mud for about 1Km, carrying the porpoise in a sling with the river
getting no deeper and the tide going out as fast as we were walking.
The porpoise was still very alert and active we saw this as a positive
sign, (Rocky later informed us that this could also be that the
porpoise was not happy about returning to the water due to injury
or ill health, adding that you do have to look at this as a positive
when you are in the thick of trying to rescue). At least the weight
was taken off its internal organs, which is necessary in trying
to keep a porpoise alive. We soon realised that this was going to
be an ineffective way to re-float. Its breathing was stable and
calm, unlike Neil and mine. We returned with the porpoise near to
the bank in a pool to enable the weight to stay off its organs.
I (Lisa) remained with the porpoise, talking to it and keeping it
calm while Neil made a few phone calls to try to find another solution.
He spoke to Alan to ascertain the availability of other medics and
a possible transport vehicle if it was deemed necessary. Neil also
spoke to Rocky, whose advice was exemplary as always. A sea release
appeared to be the only feasible option. Neil, Rocky and Alan began
ringing around trying to organise transport to move the porpoise
onto the beach to enable us to re-float it into the sea. Meanwhile
I sat in the dark 110 metres out in the Humber with the porpoise
who sadly decided it had had enough and died. What a sad end.
We left the scene at 8.00pm.
Rocky rang us later that evening to offer support and ask if we
could get a blubber sample to send to the Natural History Museum
for analysis.
16th February 2007
We went back on the Humber to find the porpoise and take the sample.
On inspection there were a number of old injuries that may have
caused the porpoise to beach itself deliberately, which is often
the reason for single stranding. This is how Jordan spent the morning
of his 13th birthday, different I guess, happy birthday son.
We would like to say thank you to Rocky for his support and advice,
priceless as ever, even though he did nearly make me cry when offered
support the previous night.
Lisa, Neil and Jordan Wray
Marine Mammal Medics
East Yorkshire
Seal
pup monitored – Easington
16th February 2007
We received a call at 11:55am from a local Coastguard informing
us about a seal with an injured eye on Easington beach. Neil rang
Alan Stewart to inform him of the situation. Patrick Tomlinson took
us to the site of the seal. The seal was a young pup, still with
white downy fluff, I have to say it was so cute. We assessed the
eye which was weeping a small amount of green gunge, but apart from
that it appeared very fat, alert and healthy. Using past experience
and advice we decided the best place for the seal was back in the
sea. When we arrived on scene the tide was on its way in so we knew
we would not have to wait too long, if things went to plan. We sat
around for 45 minutes until the sea was 2 foot from the cliffs and
the seal was surrounded by sea and in a secluded spot. We contacted
Alan and informed him we were leaving the scene but we would return
in a couple of hours to check on the seal.
We returned to the beach at 4pm and the seal was no where in sight.
Lisa, Neil, Jordan and Chris Wray
Marine Mammal Medic
East Yorkshire
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Grey
seal pup call out, Montrose
12th
February
I received
a call from BDMLR Director Tony Woodley at 15.02hrs, saying that
he had received a call from Tayside Police (Dundee), who had received
a call from Donna Williamson (Member of the public) about an injured
seal within our patrol area. I immediately set of to area (I was
a stones throw away from it ) accompanied by fellow Medic Jacque
Watt. Upon our arival, the seal (a grey), was in a position that
would have made catching it difficult (as we are ourselves were
in danger from 6ft Sea swells). Reinforcement Medics were called
in to assist, Paul Horne, Willie Taylor and Kate Santer on standby,
and were asked to bring the seal tank with them in the hopes that
somehow it could be herded into an area that wouldnt put us in danger.
However, noise from nearby spooked the seal and it slipped away
with the current. We arrived back at homebase at 16.30hrs to dry
off ( we were all soaked through from the torrential rain!), to
be called yet again at 17.00hrs to the same seal in the same area!
Back we went, faced with the same difficulties so decided to abort
the operation for the evening and resume monitoring the next day.
We are happy to report that what appeared to be a suspected injured
left flipper (maybe from the pounding of the sea), our seal was
observed yesterday February 14th with another grey in tow, displaying
normal behaviour and using both front flippers. As monitoring is
continuing we have refrained from mentioning the location of both
these seals. Both are of excellent body weight (estimated at 45kg)
Thanks to Donna Williamson M.O.P / Tayside Police / BDMLR Tony Woodley
/ Medics Elaine Roft, Jacque Watt, Willie Taylor, Paul Horne, Kate
Santer.
Elaine
Roft - Marine Mammal Medic
Montrose / Arbroath Areas
Black
headed gull rescue, Montrose
12th
February
During
my shopping spree in Montrose, I watched a seabird (gull variety)
carefully dodge its way through heavy traffic. The bird had been
clipped ever so slightly by a passing car and with no attempts to
try and fly away I then suspected that it was slightly dazed. With
umbrella in on hand (battling against torrential rain), shopping
and flowers (now sodden)) in another hand, I started to weave in
and out of the already stopped traffic to herd the bird to the other
side of the road where I could corner it at the Church on the High
Street. Now laden with umbrella, shopping, sodden flowers and a
bird tucked under my arm I headed off to the nearest shop (farmfoods)
to scrounge a cardboard box to place the rescued patient in. After
pondering on how I was going to manage to get myself and all my
load on to the bus, I decided to call Medic Jacque Watt to come
to the rescue of us both! The bird now named "Happy Feet"
was placed in a large dog carrier and was supplied with whitebait
and some drinking water and allowed a period of rest in a warm dark
shed (incase it was suffering from shock). Myself and Jacque then
scouted our seabirds book and we can confirm that happy Feet is
a black headed gull. He/she will be released on the foreshore on
Friday if its able to fly, if not, then it will be taken for further
rehabilitation at Grampian Wildlife Trust
Elaine Roft - Marine Mammal Medic
Montrose / Arbroath Areas
Well
worth the climb ?
11th
February
Paula Gent (Coordinator)
and I received a call from Mandy Macintyre at the SPCA, to say that
a seal had been spotted on the beach over on the East Coast with
a rope caught round its neck. We were met on site some 40mins later
by an SPCA officer, who had tried to capture and free the seal from
the rope, however was unable to. The seal was on the rocky beach
down a cliff face with steps in place however bearing in mind the
height there were some 200 steps I guess.
After the haul down
the steps we spotted the seal pup with a thick mooring rope round
its neck trailing a knotted length behind. The rope was quite frayed
and as a result had also entangled its left fore flipper. The flipper
was released first with ease, the rope to the neck was a different
matter, it was like cutting a hundred smaller ropes from around
its neck and to be honest the seal was not trying to help instead
biting and snarling all the way. Finally the rope was released the
seal was checked over and had quite an indent round its neck where
the rope had been, however luckily the animals skin had not been
cut, the only wound spotted was a puncture wound to the right tail
flipper which looked very much like a bite. This was sprayed with
an Antiseptic and as he didn't look badly underweight and well hydrated
he was released after being pointed in the right direction.
The SPCA officer said
he would check on the animal the following day to make sure it was
not still in any difficulty. So now just the long climb up where
Paula and I found out why we should take more exercise. However
it was all worth it for the seal’s sake....
Richard Bradley
- Caithness Assistant Coordinator
Seal
injured from dog bite – Withernsea
4th February 2007
We received a text from Alan Stewart informing us that there was
a seal on Withernsea beach with a reported dog bite injury. We called
Alan informing him we would be onsite within 15 minutes. On arrival
the Coastguards were ensuring that the seal remained safe. We assessed
the seal and it appeared fat, healthy, very alert and just having
a chill on the beach. There was a small mark on its nose but it
appeared to only be superficial. We decided that the best solution
was to continue to monitor the seal until high tide with the view
being that the seal would return to the sea at high tide. After
being in attendance for about 30 minutes the Taylor family (Sorry
I cant remember your names) arrived too, they agreed with the assessment
and decision we had made. Within 10 minutes another 4 medics arrived
on scene. We remained on site for another 30 minutes but decided
that this situation did not require this amount of medics and we
were drawing attention from an increased number of the public which
I do not think was helping the seal. We left the seal in the capable
hands of the other medics.
Lisa, Neil and Chris Wray
Marine Mammal Medics
East Yorkshire
Two
pups escape efforts to be rescued
4th/5th
February
04/01/07
After receiving a call from a member of the public, concerned about
a seal pup, I was dispatched to one of our patrol areas to assess
its condition. The pup was very feisty and had made its way back
to the water before it could be caught for general assessment. Although
it appeared to have reasonable body weight, there were concerns
relating to the colour of its mucous membranes. Patrols will continue
to see if the pup hauls out again. Thanks to the member of the public
who reported this to us (you know who you are). We have refrained
from mentioning the location in a bid to keep this ill pup "safe"
from harm. [click on pic to enlarge]
Bob
Pert - MMM
Montrose/Arbroath Assistant Co-ordinator
05/01/07
A call was received at 10.15hrs today from Mr and Mrs Dawson to
Elaine's mobile, reporting a seal pup with a neck injury within
our patrol areas. Myself and fellow Medic Willie Taylor responded
to the call after being updated on the situation by Elaine Roft,
our Co-ordinator. We met up with 1 of our Volunteers (you know who
you are :-) who was already at the scene, and keeping a watchful
eye on our pup named "Aquarius" who had by this time taken
to the water sporting a horrendous neck injury. After watching our
pup for over an hour in the water, he took a dive and that was the
last we saw of him. We can only hope that he hauls out again so
that he can be rescued and his wound tended to. Thanks to our volunteer
helper who kindly provided lunch on the beach for myself and Willie
whilst we continued looking for the pup.
Kate
Santer - Marine Mammal Medic
Montrose / Arbroath Area
Thanks
also to Mr and Mrs Dawson for forwarding the photos of "Aquarius"
to Elaine. For the time being, the location has not been disclosed
in the hopes that this pup will remain free from harm and harassment.
Elaine
Roft & Bob Pert
Co-ordinators
A
busy weekend
Friday 2nd February
I was just finishing
my marking at school when I received a phone call from a parent
whose child, Conor Bemrose, is in my class. On their way home Conor
had spotted a seal that was hauled out on the slipway near Bridlington
Spar. Mrs Bemrose said she wasn't sure if there was anything wrong
but would feel better if I could go & take a look. I quickly
changed, called my assistant area co-ordinator to inform her of
what was happening & set off.
On arriving at the
scene I immediately realised that the pup was very thin with visible
neck & pelvis & that it was going to be extremely difficult
to bring in due to its close proximity to the edge of the slipway
& a rising tide. I knew that if we weren't careful the pup would
end up back in the sea which it had apparently just spent the last
2 hours trying to get out of. So I called a colleague from school,
Bobbie Wilkie, who lives in Bridlington & while I waited for
her I phoned Bev to give her an update & find out where the
pup could be taken. Once Bobbie arrived I got between the sea &
the pup & then slowly edged up the side of the slipway. Once
I was in position Bobbie attempted to distract the pup as I jumped
it. Considering it was not only in the most awkward position but
also laid on the only pile of dog mess on the slipway, we managed
really well! We quickly got the pup into the car & set off to
Hull & Swanbridge vets.
On arrival, Fernando
administered antibiotics, multivitamins, weighed & took the
temperature of the pup & then gave it a feed of fish soup. Orbital
Sander (the pup's new name!) was a female seal who weighed in at
14.9 kilos & had a slightly high temperature. As it was now
late it was decided that she should stay over night at the vets
& then be transported to East Winch the following morning. This
was organised by Bev & Alan. Reports from East Winch are that
Orbital is doing well, has gained a lot of weight & is a very
lively inquisitive pup.
Sunday 4th February
I received a text
on Sunday afternoon from Alan, my Regional Co-ordinator, about another
pup. I rang straight back to say that I was available to take a
look at the pup. Alan was just giving me the details of the pups
location when Gary Bolton text to say he could also attend &
would meet me there as he was out walking his dogs.
I set off to Flamborough
with some apprehension as the last time I was there I had been unable
to rescue an injured pup due to a fast rising tide. On returning
the next day the pup had gone. It sounded like this pup was in exactly
the same location, Thornwick Bay; however the tide was further out
this time so at least that was on our side. On arriving I climbed
down the never ending steps & quickly located the pup that was
by now receiving quiet a lot of attention from the general public.
The pup was in quite a poor state, obviously thin with discharge
from its eyes & nose, a large lump on its side & a bloody
mouth. It also had a horrendous smell!!!! I know seals can be smelly
but this one was definitely the worst I have ever encountered!!
As soon as Gary arrived
we made the decision that we would need to bring the pup in. Even
with all its injuries (did I mention the smell?!) the seal was still
quite feisty & wasn't the easiest of pups to jump (Well done
Gary!). Once the pup was caught, we proceeded to climb the seemingly
never ending steps up to the car park, whilst the pup christened
the new seal bag, just to add to the already delightful fragrance
which was filling the car. We phoned Alan, once we eventually got
a signal, & he informed Sealife we were on our way. Holding
on to my nose & with all the windows open as far as possible,
I set off to Scarborough, gasping for breath with my head out of
the window at every opportunity (much to Gary's amusement- as he
followed behind!).
On arriving at Sealife,
Helen admitted the pup who weighed in at 14.7 kilos & had a
temperature of 39. The abscess has since been lanced & a course
of antibiotics has been administered. The pup, named Hubba Bubba
after the bright pink bubble gum, has since been moved into the
large pool at Sealife with the other pups, including Space Dust
who was admitted on January 13th.
Thanks to Mrs Bemrose
& Conor Bemrose, Swanbridge Vets, Bev Drayton,
Alan Stewart, Bobbie Wilkie, Gary Bolton & Sealife.
Tracy Guild
MMM Filey Yorkshire
