Ant was rescued on 22nd November 2024
|
Ant, a 4-6 weeks old male grey seal pup, was rescued on the 22nd of November 2024 from the beach in St Ives Bay by Elizabeth and Chris of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) volunteer marine mammal medics.
The pup looked calm but in a slightly awkward position on the rocks. Despite a feisty response, when the BDMLR volunteer medics assessed the pup, it was revealed multiple dried up and fresh bloody lesions on rear and front flippers in addition to the ones on his face and head. There were no other obvious injuries but with a high temperature of 38.1°C, discoloured/infected nasal discharge and a weight of 16.6kg.
A decision was made to take this pup to the BDMLR´s seal hospital in Cornwall for initial treatment and care until a pen was available on the 4th of December 2024 for him at the Sanctuary´s hospital at Gweek where he continues his rehabilitation journey.
| | Photo below was taken in the BDMLR´s seal hospital on 27th of November 2024.
|
BDMLR´s hospital plays a crucial role in rescuing and caring for these fragile seal pups before they have come to the Sanctuary for the final stages of their rehabilitation in preparation for release.
This lifesaving work is a true team effort, only made possible by the collaboration between skilled veterinary surgeons, tireless volunteers, and the wider community.
The specialist facility at BDMLR serves as an essential ICU and overflow centre, offering the pups vital support when the Sanctuary´s hospital reaches capacity.
The two charities, BDMLR and the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, work closely together rescuing seal pups in need from around the Cornish coastline. With over 40 vulnerable pups being rescued already this season so far.
|
|
Ant will spend some time in the hospital putting some more weight on before being moved to the outside nursery pools. tinue her rehabilitation process.
|
Update - 17th December 2024 : Ant spent over 2 weeks in the hospital before he was moved down to the outside pool for his next stage of rehabilitation. This means he is on the road to recovery and also has a deeper pool to swim in.
Pups in the nursery pools will be learning how to behave in the wild, interacting with other seals and also competing for their fish, which are all vital skills they will need when they are released back out into the wild.
Ant´s flipper tag ID number is SL313 (yellow).
These photos below were taken on the 13th of December 2024 in the nursery pool number 1.
|
|
Update - 4th January 2025 : This photo of Ant below was taken on the 3rd January 2025 in the nursery pool number 1. He is sharing this pool with another rescued seal pup, Tiger-Moth.
|
|
Update - 30th January 2025 : This photo of Ant with Tiger Moth was taken on the 30th January 2025 in the nursery pool number 1.
|
|
Update - 10th February 2025 : Ant along with Tiger Moth have completed their rehabilitation and were released back into the wild on the 6th of February 2025.
|
|
