A SEAL pup found stranded near La Rocco Tower has been rescued and transported to Cornwall for rehabilitation.
A team from British Divers Marine Life Rescue Jersey recovered the pup – which has since been named Whiskers – after he was seen struggling on the beach in St Ouen’s Bay by Islander Anthony Bisson and his nephew Judah.
The male pup was found to be dehydrated, underweight at just 18kg and suffering from bite marks and a “painful abscess” near his hind flippers.
Volunteers transported Whiskers to the New Era Veterinary Hospital, where he received fluids, antibiotics and further care.
Once stabilised, the pup was flown to the BDMLR Cornwall Seal Hospital for continued treatment.
He will eventually be transferred to the Cornish Seal Sanctuary to complete his rehabilitation, following the path of “Pearly Caterpillar” – another seal pup rescued in November.
Seal pups from the Channel Islands are currently being sent to the UK for care due to the temporary closure of the rehabilitation site in Guernsey.
BDMLR Jersey recently shared its hopes of eventually establishing a dedicated seal hospital in Jersey.
At the time, BDMLR Channel Islands co-ordinator Donna Gicquel-de Gruchy said: “Without any facilities in Jersey available to us as a volunteer rescue team, we would have little to no options for Jersey seal pups and rehabilitation.”
However, the JSPCA has now made space available in its shelter to help house seal pups.
Tom Noel, the new chief executive at the JSPCA, said: “This has been a fantastic opportunity to test our processes, learn and ensure that we’ll be even better prepared when the next seal lands on our shores in the future.
“We look forward to continuing to work closely together in the future and remain excited to hear about how Whiskers progresses and hope for a successful release in due course”
BDMLR Jersey has thanked local pilots Jasmine Clarke and John Windows for volunteering to transport Whiskers to Cornwall; the group has also thanked Age Concern for providing storage space for the mackerel used to feed rescued seals.
Islanders who come across struggling seal pups are advised to stay back, avoid putting the animal back in the water and keep dogs on leads and away from these animals.
