A SEAL pup rescued in Jersey two weeks ago is “doing well” in the UK – where he is being soothed by a substitute “seal mama” after being heard crying for his mother.
The pup, initially named Fliquet after where he was found, was flown to RSPCA Mallydams Wood wildlife centre in Hastings for rehabilitation, where he has been renamed “Pappardelle” – as pasta is the theme for naming pups at the centre.
In the wild, grey seal pups rely on their mothers in the initial weeks of their life and can become distressed in care.
To provide comfort, Mallydams staff created a substitute “seal mama” using waterproof trousers with a bottle of fish soup inside.
They said: “Pap immediately tried to find somewhere to latch onto, but struggled with our first attempt.
“We tried again, and as you can see he immediately started suckling and his body relaxed.
“This is not a replacement way for him to be fed,” they added, “but more of a way to reduce stress and feel comfort, away from us humans who have to assist feed him until he learns to eat fish.”
Found in a garage a mile inland of St Catherine’s Bay, the days-old pup ventured halfway up a hill from Fliquet Bay in search of its mother.
Typically, the pup would have been transferred to the care of Geoff George, head of marine mammals at the GSPCA, but the Guernsey facility is currently undergoing refurbishment.
The Jersey British Divers Marine Life Rescue team arranged for the pup to be transported to the UK with the help of volunteer pilots from Civil Air Support.
The process of rehabilitation is expected to take three to four months.
It costs RSPCA Mallydams around £60 a day in fish alone to look after the seals in its care, so financial donations are welcomed by the charity.
A local marine wildlife charity previously warned that young seal pups were “going to struggle” due to the impact of Storm Ciarán.
Donna de Gruchy, the Jersey co-ordinator for British Divers Marine Life Rescue, said that there is “no doubt” seal pups which were not old enough to survive independently “will wash up on our beaches”.
She said: “The chances of seal pups surviving after washing up are really slim, and they are likely to be found drowned.”
She explained that if Islanders came across a struggling seal pup or distressed marine mammal they should “stay back, never attempt to put them back in the water, keep dogs on leads and well away”.
They should also contact the JSPCA on 724331 – or via their out-of-hours number on 07797 720331 – to alert the BDMLR team.
