Tar
seal from Copinsay Orkney
report by Ross Flett of Orkney Seal Rescue
30th January
The island of Copinsay
is an uninhabited island of the East Mainland of Orkney. A steep
green island dominated by a lighthouse, and a cluster of holms and
skerries on its shoreward side.
On Sunday I received a call from a concerned sheep farmer who had
been on the island to remove his sheep by boat to the Orkney mainland.
While 
herding
the sheep on to a boat they heard the plaintive cries of a seal
from a disused roofless farm building. On closer examination they
discovered a grey seal pup stuck in tar within the building. The
building, at one time, stored wooden barrels of tar and through
time the barrels have collapsed and discharged their contents.
On return to the mainland their conscience got the better of them
and decided to contact me for help. After several unsuccessful calls
to secure a boat to the island today I had to settle for a trip
early on Monday morning to rescue the pup from this sticky situation.
[click on image to enlarge. More pics on Image
Library]
Located the seal
pup in a disused outbuilding close to the small jetty that was formally
used by the lighthouse keepers when the light was manned. Around
30 min to dig the pup out of its road tar trap and then administer
some rehydration fluids as she was very dehydrated before returning
to the mainland by boat. Have attempted to remove some of the road
tar with some success but its going to take several days to get
it all removed and the pup on the road to recovery. I am glad to
say that at least I didn't have the mass media circus to deal with
as well on this very remote island of the North. This is the most
extreme case of wildlife pollution that I have witnessed on an individual
animal and its ironic that it has happened on a nature reserve owned
by one of the UK's largest wildlife organisations. The RSPB have
been informed and are taking steps to remove the source of pollution.
Ross Flett
- Orkney Seal Rescue
Seal Pup Monitoring/Assessments
Aberdeenshire
28th January 2006
Whilst Medic Andrew
Cordiner was on his usual patrol, just before lunchtime he came
across a Grey Seal Pup on the North side of the Boddam lighthouse
rocks.
The location of the
pup was very unusual as they are never normally situated on the
northern side of the lighthouse. Andrew ventured down the long winding
path to carry out observations on the pup. He was a partially weaned
pup, with no signs of trauma, reasonably responsive but in a rather
awkward position.
Andrew called Assistant
Co-ordinator Andy Ireland for advice. Andrew and Andy met just before
dark fell to make a further assessment of the pup and the decision
to leave the pup as is due to the only concerning factor being his
location.
Andrew Cordiner returned
at high water on Sunday morning to find our pup lying in the water
where he was perched the day before. All he could think was “what
have we done, how could we let the poor thing down”. He headed
off down the path and on to the rocks, as he was about to pull what
he thought was a carcase from the water when the pup turned, bared
his teeth and swam off!
What more of a better
ending could we have asked for than a healthy, happy pup managing
to sustain itself in the environment that it belongs.
We will continue to
monitor this pup and updates posted if any available.
Thanks to all concerned
(Medic Andrew, Andy and public) and I bet Lawrence is happy that
he never had to take another lodger in…
29th January
2006
(Hotdog)
On Sunday morning
Medic Linda Robertson was doing her usual patrol area (along the
foreshore of Fraserburgh) when she came across a grey seal pup.
She carried out a
full observation and assessment and came to the conclusion that
the little pup was only hauled out for a rest.
She returned later
that day with some younger seal enthusiasts. They checked the pup
over and again no problems. A few pictures were taken (see attached
camera phone image), thanks to her young helpers for the picture
and for naming our pup ‘Hotdog’!
Linda will return
on Monday morning before work to ensure that our pup has moved on
and is still doing well. Any further updates will be posted.
Thanks to Linda and
family for attending to this one!
Andrew Ireland
Marine Mammal Medic - Aberdeenshire Assistant Co-ordinator
Seal
rescue near Land’s End, Cornwall – and a “penguin”
report!
24th January 2006.
Coordinator Dave Jarvis
had a call from the Old Success Inn at Sennen during the afternoon
of the 24th January regarding a seal pup hauled out at the far end
of the beach near Gwynver. Dave contacted the National Seal Sanctuary,
who had not had any reports about it, so it was decided that Dave
would investigate with Coordinator Tim Bain and Medic Lesley Jarvis.
En route, a call came
through from Head Office about a ‘penguin’ at Portreath
and that the Sun newspaper were on their way as there was a large
crowd gathering around it. Medic Simon Bone and RSPCA Inspector
Felicity Cross were called out to this incident, but by the time
they arrived it had already gone – but was confirmed to be,
as usual, a guillemot!
Arriving at Sennen,
Tamara Cooper from the Animal Care Team at the Sanctuary contacted
Dave as they had also now received a separate report of the seal.
Tim carried on ahead while Dave and Lesley brought the seal cage
up. The pup was found in the middle of the beach and was unresponsive
with bite wounds and blood around its mouth. So the pup was picked
up and taken to the Seal Sanctuary.
At Gweek, they met
Tamara, Maz and Abi from the Animal Care Team. Abi and Maz did the
clinical assessment with Tim’s help while Tamara did the paperwork.
The pup was found to have a very high temperature of around 40C
and also had a broken jaw which has now been wired up by marine
mammal consultant veterinarian Paul Riley. In the meantime, the
pup has been named ‘Boggart’ and is doing better in
the Hospital.
Medic Dan
Jarvis
BDMLR West Cornwall
(Newquay – Land’s End – St Austell)
Seal
pup rescue - Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear
22nd Jan 06
Called out by Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade (coastal SAR team
of which I am a member) who had been sent by Humber Coastguard to
a reported seal pup. On arrival they called and asked if I would
be happy to drag myself away from housework on my day off to assess
it. I was more than happy (wife thought otherwise)
The pup was a young grey, about 80cm in length and was noticably
lethargic. It was also looking dehydrated and underweight, so I
made the decision to do a more thorough check. I had called Jill
McCormick and (new to me medic) Katharin Hart, but as I had 4 members
of the TVLB there, thought I might as well get it done so I could
sort out a place for it to stay.
It was incredibly
easy to catch the seal, a bad sign straight away, but other than
weight, hydration and temp, she seemed physically sound. Local wildlife
rescuer agreed to come out to collect the pup, and with the help
of Jill, we got her (the seal) off the beach and into care. (pictures
attached, including the TVLB's Kirsty assisting while I checked
'Sally' - named by the Newcastle Evening Chronicle)
Later in the afternoon called to the same beach for a differet pup.
This one, although the same length, was a much better weight, and
a lot more aggressive. On assessment, this one was marked by RSPCA
and left on scene.
Richard Ilderton
- Amble/Tynemouth Coordinator
Essex
seal pup rescue
22nd January
[ image
by Medic Andy Rutson-Edwards, click to enlarge ]
Medics Leon Woodrow
and Neil Saban rescued this Grey seal pup from Jaywick, Essex today.
The pup was extremely underweight and had an unusual 'lump' in its
throat causing it to keep 'gagging'.
The Medics transported
the pup to Thetford, Norfolk, where they were met by an RSPCA Officer
who transferred it to the RSPCA's centre at East Winch near Kings
Lynn.
Tony Woodley
- BDMLR OnLine
Seal
pup rescue - Lower Halling, Kent
22nd January
Seal pup high up on
the riverside at Lower Halling in Kent reported to me at approx
10am by MMM John Ward. I was just awake from the whale events from
london. Seal spotted by a neighbour of a medic John Ward and he
called me after the neighbour said they had contacted the RSPCA
and they had told them to leave it 24hr. Got on site at 10.15 and
observed for a few mins for mother while talking to Brett Lewis
(also on way to site contacted Neil and Sarah Horlock and Geoff
Graham. All said they will attend and on way. Spoke to Brett for
advice (excellent) and decided to rescue and take to Mallydams RSPCA
in Fairlight, East Sussex. (more miles on car - only clocked up
650 miles since Friday evening).
Caught the pup and transfered into a carry container, loaded into
my car and driven Fairlight, with Neil and Sarah, and John with
his wife following in seperate cars.
The seal was very
underweight and motherless, weighed in at just over the 10kg mark.
Grey female seal pup, very low temperature and at Mallydams we tube
fed and left in cubicle with a heater lamp to warm it up.
Medics on scene:
John Ward, Jason Carter, Geoff Graham, Neil and Sarah Horlock (and
kids)
Thanks to all envolved,
well done.
Jason Carter
- Area Coordinator
|
Pics by Neil
Horlock - click to enlarge images |
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|
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The pup receives fluids via
a stomach tube at the RSPCA centre
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Seal
Pup Rescues Aberdeenshire
22nd January 2006
(Spotty Rescue)
At 1330 Kenneth McLennan
(Aberdeenshire Co-ordinator) contacted Andy Ireland (Aberdeenshire
Assistant Co-ordinator) to advise that there had been a phone call
from the a member of the public that had come in via the Lawrence’s
surgery. The report was of a young stranded pup on the Fraserburgh
beach, no mother in the vicinity.
Andy sent a text message
to the rest of the group to find out who was available whilst Kenneth
headed down to the beach to advise what action may be required.
Due to the distance from the car park to the seal we required just
that little bit more man/woman power should uplift be necessary.
The team consisting
of Medics Andy Ireland, Linda Robertson and Natalie Simmons and
Volunteers Craig Hooper and Kelsey Callaghan met at the car park
at 1415 then headed over the beach to meet up with Kenneth.
On arrival a full
assessment was made and the pup was found to be a health grey seal
with absolutely no cause for concern. Observations were made for
30 minutes then the pup named spotty took to the surf and swam off
in to the waves.
Every so often she
turned to say either “hey I bet you can’t catch me now”
or “hey folks thanks for coming to check on me (not that I’m
proficient I seal language).
Medics Michael Watt
and Tracey Wylie and Jenny Davies were on standby to relieve medics
on scene should all day observations have been necessary.
Andy Ireland
- Marine Mammal Medic - Aberdeenshire Assistant Co-ordinator
22nd January
2006
(Silky Rescue)
We just got back on
the road and were heading for home when we received a call from
the SSPCA to ask if we could stop in by the Scotstown beach to aid
with a seal pup uplift. The call was received at 1620.
We were in the area
as it is on the way back to Peterhead so we diverted.
On route we contacted
Elaine to ask if she could possibly arrange a relay in case it had
to go to Middlebank.
When we arrived on
scene the SSPCA officer was already in attendance and we gathered
together the grab bag and kennel and headed off down the beach to
meet up with John (SSPCA).
John gave us a quick
run down of the situation and it was without a doubt an uplift.
The very young grey seal pup was quite badly cut up with sores under
the fore flipper and on the back which were deep and in need of
medical attention, possibly antibiotics. The pup had a full silky
black beautiful coat and it was by far one of the most fluffiest
seals I have seen to date, hence it’s name.
John and Andy lifted
the seal in to a kennel and took it back to the SSPCA van for transport
to Lawrence’s where a pen was pre-booked.
Elaine’s team
were advised to stand down – Sorry Elaine, you missed an absolutely
gorgeous pup!
For both rescues I
would like to thank the vigilant members of the local public, Kenneth
Mclennan and Andy Ireland (Aberdeenshire Co-ordinator and Assistant
Co-ordinator), Medics Linda Robertson, Natalie Simmons, Jenny Davies,
Tracey Wylie, Michael Watt, and Volunteers Craig Hooper and Kelsey
Callaghan, the SSPCA and Lawrence for the pen and ongoing rehab
work on our seals.
P.S. Even the people
on the beaches up here in this cold North East corner of Scotland
are asking about BDMLR and the whale, you have made such an impact
– Well Done!
Andy Ireland
- Marine Mammal Medic - Aberdeenshire Assistant Co-ordinator
Montrose Fulmar
rescue
21/01/06
13.00 hrs Although
it's very early for the arrival of Fulmars in the area, Medic Bob
Pert checked the limekilns at Boddin for any trapped Fulmars. Lo
and behold there was an unfortunate inmate! Having no-one handy
to act as "safety" personnel it was a nervous Bob who
instructed himself on how to self protect the climb out of the kiln
(self protecting the climb out means using two ends of rope and
it's not a good idea to abseil on the wrong one!). Once at the bottom
it was obvious the bird had not been there too long as first it
ran one way then he other, darned thing must have been a Olympic
hopeful. Once caught it was checked for signs of malnutrition but
was deemed "fit as a fiddle" due to the plumpness of its
body and the vicious bite! Back at the top of the kiln, after a
few moments of reorientation, it took off towards the sea.
Picture shows bird
just prior to flight after release.
Bob Pert
- British Divers Marine Life Rescue - Montrose Deputy Co-ordinator
Northern
Bottlenose whale - River Thames (Full report
will be published soon)
Time line - most recent first
Full
Press Release - click HERE
(pdf)
ZSL
Preliminary PM results - HERE
(pdf)
Many
images in BDMLR Image Libray - HERE
Comprehensive
BBC coverage - HERE
20th/21st January
19.10hrs : Just
before 19.00hrs we received a report from the barge that the whale
had taken a sudden down turn in condition. At 19.00hrs it was confirmed
that the whale had suffered a series of convulsions and died. More
to follow soon.
8.10hrs : The MV Crossness
is now heading towards the Margate area. Condition of the whale
permitting - and the opinion of the vet - a controlled release may
be attempted, but the general opinion about the chances of the animals
recovery are still pessimistic.
Latest Press Release "Thames
whale - What is happening ?" 21/01/06 - HERE
(pdf version) Text version - HERE
17.10hrs : There
has been a downturn in the whales condition due to being out of
the water and therefore not supported in its natural environment.
The whale is becoming compromised and Paul Jepson (vet) is now pessimistic
that the animal is going to make a full recovery. Plans to transfer
to an ocean-going vessel have been shelved and any release will
now have to take place from the barge which limits the distance/depth
we can reach. The longer it is on the barge the worse its condition
will be so we have a trade off between time on board and how far
we can take it out to sea.
15.50hrs : The
whale has been moved by crane on to vessel MV Crossness which is
now moving East down the Thames. Examination of the whale is continuing
while it's making its journey and the vet is said to be "cautiously
optimistic" at this stage. No decision has been made on whether
or when it will be released yet, or where it will be released, if
appropriate. The volunteers of BDMLR are doing a superb job and
relying on their training and professionalism - thank you to them
and all the agencies assisting us.
13.09hrs : Whale
currently in pontoons at rescue site. BDMLR Medics being lead by
Director Mark Stevens and Vet Paul Jepson. The animal is being examined
by the vet and the results of those test will determine the next
actions.
11.05hrs : The
whale is in the Albert Bridge area. BDMLR is considering a number
of possible options and offers of assistance but we must stress
that we will be lead by the veterinary opinion of the animal. Being
realistic, if the animal is found to be in such a poor condition
that the vet states it will not survive if released, it may have
to be euthansed. However we hope that the animal will be reasonable
condition and we have a number of plans being considered for transporting
the animal to deep water outside the Thames Estuary. More news here
as it comes in.
09.25hrs : Just
spoke to BDMLR Essex Coordinator Faye Archell on board Port Authority
boat. They are observing the whale in the Albert Bridge area. If
it gets into water shallow enough for them to stand in they will
attempt to take control of the whale.
08.10hrs : Possible
sighting at Chelsea area. Not confirmed. Please see above Press
Release for current rescue situation.
06.10hrs : The
whale is likely to be still in the central London area and we are
standing by to assist if it strands. We cannot try and capture the
animal while it is still free swimming as this is not only dangerous
for ourselves but would be incredibly stressful to the whale. Suggestions
of using sonar, whale song etc are being considered but may not
work due to the geography of river and the poor condition of the
whale. More here as it comes in.
04.00hrs : Last
confirmed sighting of whale as it struggled against the incoming
tide. Has not stranded as the beaches/banks have now submerged.
01.35hrs : The
whale is close to Dolphin Square just upstream of Vauxhall Bridge.
It is described as quiet. Map of area - HERE
. More news here as it comes in.
21/06 01.10hrs
: Confirmed sighting back at Battersea area. Medic Jamie Henn is
on site with a couple of other medics plus the rescue equipment.
He confirms it stranded briefly before they could reach it and it
then freed itself from the bank. The Port Authority launch confirms
the river is only 2.5m deep at its deepest in this area. More news
here as it comes in.
23.45hrs : Main
BDMLR team now off to get some sleep. Port Authority monitoring
area. Medics will be in the area again at first light tomorrow unless
a confirmed sighting arises overnight. Equipment all still in area.
23.15hrs : No
confirmed sighting of the whale since 21.00hrs when a BBC cameraman
had a confirmed sighting at Greenwich. BDMLR RIB and Port Authority
boat unable to locate it. BDMLR RIB now out of water but local medics
are continuing to monitor the river. The Port Authority boat carrying
BDMLR Medics and equipment is returning to the Battersea area. Another
boat is heading west from Dagenham to search for the whale.
21.00hrs : Possible
sighting of the whale at Greenwich, BDMLR team on RIB 'Amanda' in
the area to check it out. More news here soon.
20.30hrs : The
BDMLR team is to stay on the river until at least 22.00hrs to try
and locate the whale. More news here when it comes in.
18.00hrs : Update
from BDMLR's RIB on the Thames. The whale was last seen heading
upstream but has not been sighted for sometime. The team are trying
to locate the animal again. Paul Jepson (vet from ZSL)
has expressed his concerns that the whale is not swimming in a determined
manner, has injuries to the top of its head and earlier showed signs
of flexion when it briefly stranded. More news here when it comes
in.
16.00hrs : Directors
Geoff Hammock and Mark Stevens are shortly launching one of our
RIBs on the Thames. Vet, Paul Jepson, is on the scene but obviously
is unable to fully assess the whale while it is still free swimming.
Update - 10.35hrs
: Liz Sandeman of Marine Connection is on a Lifeboat and confirms
the animal, possibly a Pilot whale, is under Waterloo Bridge. It
appears in reasonable condition but its location is concerning.
More here soon.
09.00hrs : Following
several calls yesterday suggesting a 'whale' was travelling up the
Thames towards central London, another report today at 8.30am suggests
the 16-18ft animal was seen at Waterloo Bridge. Local volunteers
are checking it out and liasing with the river Police, Port Authority
and London Fire Brigade. More here soon.
Another
seal in St Ives Bay.
17th January 2006.
A call came through
to Coordinator Dave Jarvis from RSPCA Animal Collection Officer
Claire Ford regarding a seal at Gwithian, near Hayle, during the
evening of the 17th. Dave contacted Medics Sue Sayer and Karl Wheston
while he and Medic Lesley Jarvis loaded up the seal cage yet again.
Sue was first to arrive
and was shown by the original caller where it was. The pup was malnourished
and dehydrated with minor injuries on his flippers. The rest of
the team arrived within a few minutes and after a quick call to
the National Seal Sanctuary about it’s condition, the pup
was jumped by Sue and caged. The Medics then took the seal back
to the car park where it was then transported to the Sanctuary.
At the rehabilitation
centre, the pup was weighed at 15kg and then allocated a pen in
the Isolation unit to rest for a while. Senior Animal Care Assistant
Tamara Cooper tube fed the male pup fluids to rehydrate him and
then carried out the clinical examination. He has since been named
‘Sting’.
Medic Dan
Jarvis
BDMLR West Cornwall
(Newquay – Land’s End – St Austell)
Pup
Rescue - Inverbervie, Scotland
17th
January
17.01.2006
Neil West from Grampian Landscape Services called Area Co-ordinator
Elaine Roft at 12.04hrs saying that a colleague of his had come
across a young seal pup on the Inverbervie beach. The pup appeared
to be ill and was battling against an incoming tide and a rocky
foreshore. Medic Paul Horne was called and immediately made his
way to the location to asses the pup with a possible uplift in mind.
Meantime Medics Peter Taylor, Willie Taylor and Jacque Watt headed
for Paul's house to assist him after the uplift. Elaine contacted
the SSPCA Middlebank centre at Inverkeithing where a seal pen was
provisionally booked. With Elaine unable to assist (tied to the
phone with other BDMLR Business) BDMLR Consulting Vet Cameron McPherson
was called and agreed to check the seal in transit en-route to Middlebank
meeting up with the new Medics at Tayport as he was currently working
in Fife. He could also perform a more detailed vet check.
13.46hrs. The pup
now named "Chris" was successfully uplifted from the beach
and left to rest for a period before commencing its journey South.
This also enabled the New Medics the chance to log the pups respiration,
body condition and weaning status. The pup was a fully weaned male
Grey, respiration was normal, there were no discharges from the
nose or ears. Injuries and poor health noticed were that the eyes
were weeping but this was not excessive and there were lesions on
its head. It appeared to be in good body condition - a little thin
on the hips.
15.10hrs Medics Willie
Taylor and Paul Horne arrived at the car park in Tayport where they
were met by Cameron McPherson who had been called earlier. Cameron
confirmed to Elaine that the pup was slightly underweight, it had
a swollen head due to infected lacerations (cellulitis) and thought
that the wounds were most probably intraspecific. Happy that the
pup had been checked in transit, Cameron was satisfied that tubing
was not essential. The pup which was by this time very feisty and
very aggressive was reloaded into Paul's estate car and proceeded
on the final stage of its journey to Middlebank.
16.20hrs Seal pup
arrives at Middlebank and is weighed in at 15kg. It is given reference
number 30, lacerations to head are cleaned up and its left to settle
after being tubed on arrival.
Many thanks to Neil
West of Grampian Landscape Services, BDMLR Medics Paul Horne, Willie
Taylor, Peter Taylor, Jacque Watt, BDMLR Medic and Area Co-ordinator
Elaine Roft, BDMLR Consulting Vet Cameron McPherson, SSPCA Middlebank.
Bob Pert
British Divers Marine Life Rescue - Montrose Deputy Co-ordinator
Chronicles
of Cornwall: the seal, the teacher and the shower room.
15th January 2006.
Having managed to
get away with some great weather for the successful launch of the
new BDMLR rescue boat ‘Josh’ the previous day, the 15th
proved to be the opposite, which was fine since Medics from Cornwall
and Devon were gathered inside the Camborne Pool Redruth Learning
Space, courtesy of Medic/Cornwall Seal Group leader/ Learning Space
teacher Sue Sayer, to learn from National BDMLR Coordinator Trevor
Weeks how to rescue oiled birds.
Less than two hours
after the end of the course, West Cornwall Coordinator Tim Bain
received a call from the National Coastwatch Institute at St Ives
about a seal pup hauled out on rocks by Porthgwidden beach. Tim
called Coordinator Dave Jarvis, who advised the Seal Sanctuary,
while he went to search for the pup. Sure enough, the pup was sitting
not far from the edge of the incoming tide, well camouflaged amongst
the rocks and boulders. He recontacted Dave, who set out with Medic
Dan Jarvis and the seal cage, as he was concerned that it appeared
dehydrated and slightly underweight. Strangely enough, the seal
was also covered in a large amount of thick oil!
While waiting for
Dave and Dan’s arrival, Tim spoke with Animal Care Assistant
Marianne Fellows from the Sanctuary about the pup. She advised that
the Sanctuary’s Isolation pens were all full after another
pup, a whitecoat, had arrived the evening before. They discussed
having the pup taken to the RSPCA Hospital at West Hatch in Taunton,
so Tim then contacted BDMLR Chairman Alan Knight who was returning
to Sussex with Sue White and Trevor, and had gotten as far as the
other end of the county. Alan offered to come back and meet halfway
if the plan to take it to West Hatch went ahead, so that they could
drop the seal off on their way home.
By now, Dave and Dan
had arrived with the cage, and the three of them went down onto
the rocks to assess the animal more closely. The seal appeared bright
and alert, but approximately 50% of its back and its rear flippers
were all coated with tar-like oil. A few bite wounds were also noticed
on the fore and rear flippers as well as a small amount of creamy-yellow
discharge from the nose. Tim jumped the seal while Dan took its
temperature, which came out as 37.9ºC. The pup was then loaded
into the cage and Dave spoke with Marianne about the arrangements,
and it was decided that Tim would hold the pup overnight and Dave
would bring it to the Sanctuary the following morning. Dave also
spoke with Sue Sayer who had also been contacted about the pup,
and she kindly offered the use of her shower room to keep the pup
in for the night.
At Sue’s, the
pup was released form the cage and Tim jumped it again and tube
fed the seal rehydration fluids and then Sue, Dan and Medic Lesley
Jarvis, who Dave had picked up, could give it a thorough wash with
soapy water and sponges to get rid of the majority of the oil. After
this, the pup was taken through to the shower room (which I think
has now been renamed Sue’s seal pen!) and left to rest for
the night before it was taken to the Sanctuary in the morning.
The pup, a male, was
named ‘Josh’ in honour of Josh Hayes, who sadly died
in 2005 after a long illness and whose family have been longtime
supporters of British Divers Marine Life Rescue. The new South West
rescue boat has also been named ‘Josh’ in his honour,
so to name a seal after him as well was an extra bonus and a token
of our gratitude to Josh’s family and to all the hard work
that everyone has put in to raise funds to get the new boat, which
we are all very pleased with and grateful for.
Medic Dan
Jarvis
BDMLR West Cornwall
(Newquay – Land’s End – St Austell)
10th
seal rescue of 2006 in Cornwall.
14th January 2006.
At around 10:30am,
Maddie Precious from the Cornwall Wildlife Trust Strandings Network
contacted West Cornwall Coordinator Dave Jarvis about a ‘badly
injured’ seal pup at Godrevy, St Ives Bay. Luckily, Dave,
who was with Medic Dan Jarvis, had just picked up the rescue ambulance
RU05 in preparation for the new South West Rescue RIB launch that
afternoon and also just happened to have the seal cage already loaded
in the back of the car. Dave headed straight for Godrevy while Dan
contacted the National Seal Sanctuary to inform them of the report,
and then called Medic Sue Sayer, who was seal watching in the area.
Sue arrived on the
beach within a matter of moments and recognised the signs of starvation
and dehydration, and also noticed that the bad injuries reported
by the caller were deep cuts around the tail and rear flippers.
She called Dave and Dan with the details, and they advised her that
they would be at the site in less than five minutes along with Medics
Simon Bone and Karl Wheston.
On the beach, Animal
Care Assistant Marianne Fellows was contacted and given the details
of the pup’s condition in addition to the ones she had collected
from the caller while Medics were still on their way. After this,
Dan jumped the seal and, with Dave and Karl’s help, got it
into the waiting seal cage. Marianne was advised of our ETA while
the seal and cage were loaded into Karl’s car, who then took
it down to the Sanctuary with Sue and Simon. The pup was named ‘Tanglefoot’
and he weighed 19kg.
Medic Dan
Jarvis
BDMLR West Cornwall
(Newquay – Land’s End – St Austell)
2nd
seal pup removed from Penberth Cove, Cornwall, in less than 18 hours.
13th January 2006.
Following on from
the incident the following evening, the same caller contacted Coordinator
Dave Jarvis at 9am for an update on the pup’s condition, but
advised him that it had unfortunately died later in the night. He
then commented that there was now another pup on the slipway at
Penberth Cove, but did not appear to be in too bad a condition.
At about 11am Tamara
from the Sanctuary called to advise about a further call about the
seal at Penberth, and a short while later, Dave had another call
from the original caller to say that the pup’s condition had
deteriorated and that it may need attention. Dave contacted the
Sanctuary to advise that he was setting out to have a look with
Coordinator Tim Bain and Lesley Jarvis. He spoke with Marianne at
the centre, who informed him that Curator of Pinnipeds Glenn Boyle
was currently out searching for another pup, and would come to look
at the Penberth seal afterwards. It was agreed that it would be
better for an assessment to be made as soon as possible while waiting
for Glenn to arrive, so proceeded to the site.
Back on the slipway,
the caller met with the team again and showed them the seal lying
on a step. It appeared to be dehydrated, malnourished and had a
few bite injuries. The Seal Sanctuary was updated and they in return
advised that Glenn was already en route, and he arrived a short
while later with two volunteers, one of whom was Chris, a BDMLR
Medic from Poole, Dorset.
Glenn jumped the seal
and noticed that one of the pup’s rear flippers was swollen.
He then tube fed it and took its temperature with the help of the
volunteers and Medics. The pup was then caged and put into the Sanctuary
land rover and taken for rehabilitation.
Medic Dan
Jarvis
BDMLR West Cornwall
(Newquay – Land’s End – St Austell)
Sick
seal, rescued, dies, in Cornwall.
12th January 2006.
Medic Lesley Jarvis
took a call from Maddie Precious of the Cornwall Wildlife Trust
Strandings Network at around 5:30pm, and reported to her a seal
pup at Penberth Cove. Lesley informed Coordinator Dave Jarvis who
was in the nearby fish and chip shop, who then rang the caller for
details. After this Medics Simon Bone and Karl Wheston were called
out along with Coordinator Tim Bain, who was picked up by Dave and
Lesley en route.
On arrival the caller
showed the rescuers where the animal was, positioned on the slipway.
The caller advised them that the pup had attempted to haul out earlier
in the afternoon. On assessment the pup was found to have blood
around its head, its flippers were very cold, and appeared almost
lifeless. It offered no resistance when loaded into the cage. Simon
and Karl arrived at this point and they all proceeded to the Sanctuary
as quickly as possible, informing the Animal Care Team as they left.
At the Sanctuary,
Senior Animal Care Assistant Tamara Cooper and Sanctuary Maintenance
Team member Chris Ellis carried out the clinical assessment, which
produced a glucose result of 0.8, which is extremely low, and its
temperature did not even register on the thermometer. Tamara immediately
put the pup on a drip and set up two heat lamps in the Isolation
pen. She stayed with the pup until 11pm when the pup sadly died
after coughing up some worms.
Medic Dan
Jarvis
BDMLR West Cornwall
(Newquay – Land’s End – St Austell)
BDMLR's
new South West RIB 'Josh' officially named and launched !
Official
Press Release - click HERE
Here
are a series of images of the two ceremonys. I hope to receive some
text about the weekends highlights soon. Click the thumbnails below
to view the images at a larger size.
Many
thanks to photographers Gavin Parsons and Simon Bone for these images,
please visit their websites.
Gavin
Parsons : h2o
Images
Simon
Bones : Cornish
Seals
Tony
Woodley - BDMLR OnLine
|
Naming ceremony
- Southend 13th January 2005 - Pics by Gavin Parsons |
|
|
Jim Hayes, Josh's father,
christens the new boat with the aid of some Champagne
|
From left to right: (on ground)
Bob Archell, Mark Stevens, Jim Hayes, June Hayes, Alan Knight
and Sue Archell
|
Images of launch at Penzance
- 14th January 2005 - Pics by Simon Bone
View 43 images at Simons website
- click HERE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Do
we have a new lone Dolphin visiting Maryport Cumbria ?
12th
January
For the past couple
of weeks BDMLR’s Cumbria Co-ordinator Jenny Watkins has been
monitoring a Bottlenose Dolphin at Maryport Marina. The dolphin
who has been named “Marra” by locals, swam about 500
yards up the River Ellen and through the lock gates into the marina.
Initially there was a lot of concern over the dolphins condition
so BDMLR’s NE England Co-ordinator Dave Williams joined Jenny
to assess whether the dolphin could possible be ill or injured.
Dave Williams reported back to BDMLR HQ that Marra seemed to be
fit and healthy. Certainly the lumbar muscles did not appear concave.
Marra was chasing fish, diving and playing with the boats using
the marina.
The Harbour staff
were initially very concerned and wanted to have the dolphin removed
for safety reasons both for humans and the dolphin. BDMLR 
directors
as well as myself and Faye Archel have discussed the possible courses
of action and are now advising the Marina staff. (Bottlenose dolphins
are protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act and therefore
harassment is illegal). BDMLR is organising a “Dolphin Watch”
to keep an eye on Marra so that if there is a change in health then
a rescue plan can be put into action. Behaviour experts have been
informed and we are awaiting assessment by them too.
We have ruled out
the possibility that this is Randy or Fungi who are well know solitary
male bottlenose dolphins which like to interact with boats and humans.
It is possible that this could be a new lone male dolphin like Fungi
who is currently at Dingle in Ireland. The local council are hoping
that if this is the case, it may help tourism in the local area
if he stays around. Large crowds of people flocked to the marina
last weekend to watch the dolphin playing.
[Pic
by Mark Vollers from The Lake District Coast Aquarium]
Another possibility
is that the dolphin is unsure about swimming through the lock gates
or the echolocation is hitting the bank opposite the lock gates
and therefore does not realise that is the exit. However we would
expect the dolphin to be more distressed if this was the case.
Sometimes the hardest
choice is to do nothing, but this can often be the best and most
appropriate course of action. BDMLR is putting together a rescue
plan to ensure that if the dolphin deteriorates in health a plan
can be put into play. BDMLR directors and other experienced medics
across the country are on standby in case they are needed to help
with the rescue attempt. This may mean draining the marina at low
tide and then catching Marra up and taking her back out to sea using
our rescue pontoons.
BDMLR
would like to thank Dave Williams and Jenny Watkins for all their
effort over the past couple of weeks and look forward to their continued
involvement.
Any
BDMLR medics interested in joining Dolphin Watch should contact
Sue at the BDMLR’s HQ.
Trevor Weeks
- National Co-ordinator BDMLR
Seal rescue
at Sennen, Cornwall
9th January 2006.
During the early evening,
a call was received via BDMLR Head Office that a seal pup had been
spotted hauled out by the RNLI Lifeboat Station at Sennen, near
Land’s End. West Cornwall Coordinators Dave Jarvis and Tim
Bain and Medic Lesley Jarvis set out, also calling out Medic Simone
Slater who lives near to the area. Senior Animal Care Assistant
Tamara Cooper of the National Seal Sanctuary was contacted to advise
of the situation.
Simone arrived with
her sister and located the pup with the help of Liam who lived nearby.
Together they ensured that any people approaching were kept a safe
distance away until the rest of the team arrived with the cage.
It was assessed to have injuries to both eyes: one had a superficial
scratch across the surface while the other was sunken and bloody.
It was also malnourished and had a few other minor injuries such
as bites and grazes on its flippers.
As soon as the team
arrived Tamara was advised of the pup’s condition and agreed
that it should be brought in for rehabilitation. Tim jumped the
pup, which had now moved into a rockpool, so after a bit of splashing
and with assistance from the other Medics, he loaded it into the
seal cage. It was then transported to the Sanctuary where a clinical
assessment of its health was carried out and the injuries treated,
after which it was tube fed fluids to rehydrate it.
The pup weighed 17kg
and was named ‘Storm’.
Medic Dan
Jarvis
BDMLR West Cornwall
(Newquay – Land’s End – St Austell)
All
dressed up and no place to go... a BDMLR Medics' first call-out
By
Graeme Shaw
My first
call out!
The phone calls. "Hello
Graeme, this is Graham. There is a seal on the beach at South Shields
that has been hit by a power boat. Can you make it out there?"
"Errr, oooh errr
goodness, bu**er (and lots more rude words your mam doesn't think
you say) etc , errr yes I think I can. I know I can!". My stumbling
indecision must have put Graham at ease. It took me at least 30
seconds to think of a sound plan of action regarding how, who, when,
where and how to dump the lot of them and high-tail it out to the
coast.
Suddenly I get all
empowered and think, screw the next 3 appointments, I am on a mission
to help a creature in distress, bo**ocks to them all! It's great
being a manager.
And so I ask what
I need, because despite all promises to myself the car has naff-all
equipment in it and I am 8 miles from my home base.
"Its a seal,
boots and a warm jacket. I have all the stuff here that we need".
Thank goodness one of use is an experienced person with a brain
and a plan.
Jibbering excuses
like "Is it ok to move the appointment Mrs Anderson, I have
a seal to catch" and " I am sorry I can't make it this
afternoon Mr Richards but my pinnipeds are giving me proper gyp"
I clear my diary and head off to the coast.
"This is it,
this is it! My first call out. What will I do? Will I let the team
and the animal down? Where did Graham say it was again? South Shields
next to the pier. S**t! Where is my phone? (it was under the clutch
pedal all the time). What if I get stopped for speeding! Why can't
I have one of those fancy lights and sirens like the doctors have?
Jeezuz! GET THE HELL OUT OF THE ROAD! Honestly, school kids just
get everywhere at 3pm!"
And inside I am really
excited but upset too. I want to attend but the very fact that my
area co-ordinator has called me means that something bad has happened
and I don't know what to expect.
"It has been
reported that a seal has been hit by a power boat and observers
say it looks badly injured" and I am thinking "Oh hell,
my first call out and it is for a cut up seal, the poor bu**er!
Badly injured and having to cope with me trying to 'MMM' it to bits.
How can I do this and not let this injured and in pain animal down?"
"Well bo**ocks,
I got the call, I am going to do my best whether the fiesty bu**er
likes it or not"
You want to know something?
I was wondering if it would be better dead if it got hit by a power
boat rather than lying dying on a beach, in pain and surrounded
by strange upright creatures fussing around it.
The needle on the
centre dial swung past 120. Cars flashed by in reverse. I wondered
how I was going to sell this to a court. "Its ok, we are a
nation of animal lovers, they'll understand."
Funny how the distorted
opinion can justify an action. I was thinking that my fiancee (I
hope that is the right spelling for the woman side of deal) is hand
rearing a tiny kitten because on Christmas Eve its mother was microwaved
to death by some drunken scum at a house party.
I had to prove to
myself that I was not the same species that was capable of such
inhumane actions. So 140mph was being rapidly justified as I video
gamed the A1M.
And the handsfree
lights up. Bloody distraction.
The display says BDMLR
SUE.
The words "Stand
down" hit me like a sucker punch. Foot off the throttle and
mixed feelings.
My first call out,
a call off. The adrenaline flows away to leave me craving for a
cigarette. Too late, New Year's resolution means that all Lambert
& Butler and associated smoking paraphenalia has been removed
from the car.
Sue, being Sue, explaines
the situation and I see that of course, it is for the best. Our
fat friend was never clobbered by a boat. It was covered in red
dye, not blood, and it has now made its way back to that glorious
crystal azure blue haven known as 'The North Sea'.
I turn the car around,
feeling slightly stupid for getting so het up and driving like a
lunatic. I replay the whole 30 minutes in my head to see how I could
improve my response.
'Yes, you really should
keep stuff in the car'
'No you don't have to drive like a moron, no one wants an accident
and you aren't Starsky and Hutch'
'A stand down call is a good thing, one way or the other and Sue's
voice is really quite sexy when you think about it!'
Baden Powell was
right. Be Prepared.
But so was George
Clooney in 'Dusk 'till Dawn'.
"Everybody be
cool.
You, be cool"...
Graema Shaw
- BDMLR Medic
New
Images of Bottlenose dolphin - Maryport, Cumbria
8th January
Many
thanks to Nicky Cockburn who sent in these images of the dolphin
at Maryport, Cumbria. She also adds that the dolphin appears more
interested in faster moving boats and also in 'kids'. Thanks for
the info Nicky !
Tony
Woodley - BDMLR Director/BDMLR OnLine
Bottlenose
dolphin monitored - Maryport, Cumbria
8th January
Local
Assistant area coordinator, Jenny Watkins, visited Maryport Marina
on the 7th January following concerns for a Bottlenose dolphin which
has been in the area for a few days. ( local Press item - HERE
)
The dolphin
is swimming around in the marina and a large crowd of people have
gathered each day to watch him, which the local authorities are
concerned about as there is a long drop off the quay side into the
water.
Jenny
was able to seek assistance from the local sailing club to try and
entice the dolphin out of the marina by towing a buoy behaind a
boat. This proved unsuccessful but the dolphin with the dolphin
interested in the boat but not willing to leave the marina. The
attached image suggests it may be in good body condition but without
a closer examination/better pics it is impossible to be sure. Further
images may be received later today.
Members
of the public and boat users are asked to leave the dolphin alone
and we, BDMLR, will monitor it with assistance from the local Aquarium
owner Mark Vollers. Apparently there is a good amount of fish in
the marina.
If this
dolphin is healthy and is simply 'visiting' the area he well need
to be monitored until he moves on. More on the phenomenon of lone
dolphins - HERE
Tony
Woodley - BDMLR Director/BDMLR OnLine
[ map
of area - HERE
]
Seal
Report - South Shields
6th January
1410:
BDMLR contacted by Humber Coastguard reporting an injured seal on
the beach at South Shields-Local rescue team also responding
1415: Sue White contacts local co-ordinator Graeme Richardson who
responds
1425: Graeme arrives on scene with Coast Rescue team and finds a
young healthy grey pup sprayed with red marker. The pup appears
to have come in on the high tide and found a secluded area to settle
and rest. Photographs were sent to national Coordinator Trevor Weeks,
and all medics who were travelling to the scene were stood down.
(allowing Sue to concentrate on the other rescues in progress).
Thanks to Medics: Katherine Hart, Michael Tetley and Graeme Shaw,
and to Rescue Volunteer Tom Fennelly. Also to Gordon Shaw and his
family for calling it in.
Graeme
Richardson - Tyne Tees Area Coordinator
Grey
seal pup rescued in North Cornwall.
6th January 2006.
On the 5th January
Animal Care Team member Marianne Fellows from the National Seal
Sanctuary called the local BDMLR group about a seal hauled out on
a beach in Bude, near the border with Devon on the North Cornish
coast. Medic Dan Jarvis passed on the details to Sue White at Head
Office, who called out Medics Hannah Walter and Max Faulkner, both
of whom had only completed the Marine Mammal Medic course one month
earlier. Despite searching the large beach, the seal was not found,
and with darkness drawing in, the search was called off. Having
discussed the situation with West Cornwall Coordinator Dave Jarvis,
Max volunteered to recommence searching the following day with Medic
Vicky Cartwright.
At around 2:30pm on
the 6th, Max, called to say he had found the seal, which appeared
slightly underweight and dehydrated. The Sanctuary was informed
and it was suggested that the pup be taken to the RSPCA Hospital
at West Hatch in Somerset due to the large number of pups that had
come in from the West of Cornwall recently, which had left only
one pen available that could potentially be in more urgent need
of use in the next week or so. The RSPCA was contacted along with
Sue at Head Office to advise of the situation. RSPCA ACO John Phipps
agreed to collect the pup and take it to West Hatch, while Coordinators
Dave Jarvis and Tim Bain also started out so that Tim could tube
feed it fluids before it was taken away.
In the meantime, Max
and Vicky jumped the pup and removed it from the beach, taking it
back to Max’s house for safety due to darkness once again
closing in. Dave, Tim and John arrived later, where the pup was
jumped by Tim, assessed by him and John, temperature taken and then
tube fed. The pup was found to have a high temperature, while Dave
noticed that the pup was holding one nostril open continuously and
had injuries to its flippers. Senior Animal Care Assistant Tamara
Cooper of the Seal Sanctuary and Sue White were advised. The pup
was then loaded into John’s van and taken to Somerset to begin
rehabilitation.
Medic Dan
Jarvis
BDMLR West Cornwall
(Newquay – Land’s End – St Austell)
Malnourished
seal pup rescued from rising tide, Cornwall.
4th January 2006.
It was around 4pm
the next day when the National Seal Sanctuary called again, this
time the seal was at the opposite side of St Ives Bay from the last
two seals, amongst the rocks at Godrevy. Coordinator Dave Jarvis
and Medic Lesley Jarvis went up with the seal cage and started searching
for it.
Fortunately, the caller
had remained with the pup, so was relatively easy to find, but more
importantly may not have been found if they had not stayed due to
its position in relation to nearby rocks and the incoming tide.
The pup was very malnourished, but appeared to have no obvious injuries
under the fading light of day. The Sanctuary was updated and then
Dave herded the pup into the cage positioned by Lesley so it could
be taken away. By now Medics Karl Wheston and Kate Hockley had arrived,
and assisted with removing the pup from the rocky terrain and back
to the car park. Finding it necessary to get a change of dry clothing,
Dave and Lesley met with Medics Dan Jarvis and Sue Sayer, who proceeded
with them to the rehabilitation centre.
On arrival the pup
was brought in and put into the temporary pen. It was weighed in
at 13.5kg and then given a few minutes to rest before Curator of
Pinnipeds Glenn Boyle tube fed it fluids and took its temperature,
which was 37.7°C. It was named ‘Wiggly’ and was
put on the list for midnight’s night feed schedule, which
probably wiped the smile off ACT member Abi Nicholl’s face
when she arrived later that evening for the 8pm feeds!
Medic Dan
Jarvis
BDMLR West Cornwall
(Newquay – Land’s End – St Austell)
2nd
pup from St Ives, Cornwall in less than 10 hours
3rd January 2006.
[ Photos
by Simon Bone - click to enlarge ]
At about 8:30am, the
phone rang again with a familiar voice from the National Seal Sanctuary
on the end of the line. Another pup had appeared on Porthgwidden
beach, St Ives again. Coordinator Tim Bain was called and as with
last night went to have a look, while Coordinator Dave Jarvis called
Medics Simon Bone and Karl Wheston to take the seal cage over.
Tim, having already
found the pup and assessed it, called the Sanctuary and then Dave
with details – thin, dehydrated, bite wounds, the usual. Space
was made available in the Hospital while Karl and Simon continued
on to the beach with the cage.
On arrival the cage
was brought up to the seal. Karl jumped the pup and put it into
the cage and the team then carried it off the beach to the car.
Tim,
Karl and Simon then left, arriving at the Seal Sanctuary a short
while later, where the seal was taken to its allocated pen and allowed
to rest before being given a clinical examination by the Animal
Care Team, after which it was tube fed fluids. While this was taking
place, the name of ‘Stella’ was picked for pup number
32 of the 2005-06 season.
Later in the day we
also received a callout via Head Office about a live stranded porpoise
at Perranporth, which turned out to be a false alarm. The stranded
animal was in fact a common dolphin that had come ashore dead earlier
in the day and had already been attended by Jeff Loveridge of the
Cornwall Wildlife Trust Strandings Network (www.cwtstrandings.org).
We would like to thank Ben Gardiner, Tom Franks, Kimberley Lewis,
Tim Bain, Dave, Lesley and Dan Jarvis, Sue Sayer, Amanda Forman,
Rob Skinner, Martin Gaunt and Jenny Haley for responding to the
callout so quickly.
Medic Dan
Jarvis
BDMLR West Cornwall
(Newquay – Land’s End – St Austell)
Busy
start to 2006 for Cornwall team
2nd January 2006.
Having already been
called out to look for a seal that was not found in Hayle estuary
the previous morning, it was not surprising when another report
came through from the National Seal Sanctuary at midday on the 2nd,
this time we were off to Gwithian at the far end of Hayle beach
(about three miles to the East).
Unfortunately, the
caller was insistent upon herding the pup back into the sea - despite
strong advice from the Animal Care Team to wait for Medics to arrive
due to the eye problem he had described! Within five minutes Medic
Dan Jarvis was on the beach, shortly followed by Coordinator Dave
Jarvis and Medic Lesley Jarvis, but by this time the caller had
already shooed the pup into the sea and left. We spread out and
walked along the busy beach, covering around 1.5 miles between us,
but there was no sign of the pup. We informed the Sanctuary and
headed home.
At 10:45pm that night
another call from Medic/Vet Nurse Jenny Haley at Duchy Veterinary
Surgery in Newquay with RSPCA ACO John Phipps, who had just received
a call that sent us over to Porthgwidden beach, St Ives, where a
seal had been reported lying next to the path near the top of the
beach. Coordinator Tim Bain was contacted and went to find the pup
while Dave, Lesley and Dan loaded up the seal cage and advised the
Seal Sanctuary. While awaiting our arrival, Tim assessed the pup
under torchlight with the help of the callers who had stayed with
the pup until help arrived. He found it to be underweight with some
minor bite wounds and also squinting in one eye – a good description
of the pup that we had been chasing around St Ives Bay for the last
couple of days (third time lucky)!
Senior Animal Care
Assistant Tamara Cooper was updated on the pup’s condition
and agreed to meet us at the Seal Sanctuary. The pup, lying in an
awkward position on the rocks, was pinned down by Tim while Dave
and Dan held the cage below it against the sloping rock surface,
whereupon the seal was slid inside. It was then taken up to the
car and transported to the Sanctuary after the people who had reported
it named it ‘Bailey’.
On arrival the pup
was allocated a pen in the Isolation unit and left to rest before
Chris Ellis (Medic and Sanctuary Maintenance Team member) and Tamara
(Chris’ better half) carried out the clinical examination.
By now it was after midnight.
Once the exam was
finished, Bailey was tube fed fluids to rehydrate him and then left
for the night. It was well after 1:30am on the 3rd when everyone
arrived home, but our work for the new day was only just beginning…
Medic Dan
Jarvis
BDMLR West Cornwall
(Newquay – Land’s End – St Austell)
Hogmanay
surprise for North-East Medics
1st January
Feeling
a bit lethargic due to the Festive excesses I was convinced that
my wife was having a laugh when I returned from the shower to be
told 
that
a seal pup needed rescuing right away. I came to my senses when
a phone number was pressed under my nose and I was handed the phone!
The call was from Essex Co-ordinator Faye Archell and originated
from Mark Stevens who was apparently in the supermarket!! Geography
knows no bounds when it comes to rescuing marine mammals!!
Cutting a long story short, a grey seal pup was reported by villager
Alec Forbes, on the beach in Pennan, Banffshire (backdrop to Bill
Forsyth's 1983 film "Local Hero" starring Burt Lancaster
& Dennis Lawson if anybody remembers it!)
A couple of quick calls and messages to those in the immediate area
which, understandably at this time of year, yielded nothing but
answering machines so I mixed up some Lectade and jumped in the
motor (which having had it only a few weeks had not yet been "christened"
by any seals. It soon would be!)
On arrival at Pennan I was met by fellow Medic Tim Davis and following
a quick assesment it was determined that we had a significantly
dehydrated, lethargic pup with very scummy eyes. She was given 200ml
of Lectade and given basic first aid to the eyes and assorted cuts
and scratches. What was initially suspected to be an injury or mange
on the seals hind quarters actually turned out to be red or pink
dye. This might indicate the animal was born on the Isle of May
in the Firth of Forth near Edinburgh since Sea Mammal Research Unit
at St Andrews University 
routinely
spray dye on all the pups born there. However, somewhat concerning
was the occasional twitching and wretching exhibited by our pinniped
friend. So despite its reasonable body condition, it was agreed
to take the seal to vet Lawrence Brain at the Grampian Wildlife
Rehabilitation Trust in New Deer for a quick check up and a good
sleep. I'll report back on Hogmanay's condition when I get news.
Thanks to Alec Forbes, Tim Davis, Lawrence Brain of Grampian Wildlife
Rehabilitation Trust, Jane and Phil Davies, Kenneth McLennan, Faye
Archell, Cameron McPherson and the local "torch holders"
for their assistance in this rescue
I'd like wish everybody involved with British Divers Marine Life
Rescue a Very Happy and Prosperous New Year and to congratulate
every single one of you on the excellent work you have done over
the past year.
Nick Duthie
Aberdeenshire Strandings Co-ordinator
British Divers Marine
Life Rescue
