Emilia Clarke was rescued on 3rd May 2024
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The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) hotline received a telephone call on the 3rd of May 2024 from a concerned member of the public about a young seal pup laying alone on the slipway at Cape Cornwall.
The area coordinator arranged for local marine mammal medics to check on the seal. George, one of the medics, said "I arrived and found a sleeping seal on the slip, visually from a distance the seal looked okay, possibly slightly skinny. After discussing the pup with Lizzi, one of the area coodinators, we decided to monitor for a time. It was fairly busy at Cape but most people very understanding, some disturbance risk due to dogs off leads but the seal remained on the slip moving up as the tide came in. On the dropping tide the seal remained and continued to rest, about 3.30pm started to tentatively head for the water, we moved a little closer and noticed a very gunky looking mouth, so after discussing again with Lizzi, it was decided to carry out a full assessment.
Another marine medic arrived perfectly in time to help with the full assessment, which showed the weight at 16kg, a temperature 38.7c, and wounds on three of the flippers. The main concerns were her mouth, slightly swollen mainly on the left side, with gunk and blood present, and multiple ulcers visible."
George went on to say "After discussing with Lizzi again, it was decided a uplift the pup to the Seal Sanctuary in Gweek for some much needed care and rehabilitation. Pup was very quiet in the car and on arrival. Thanks to the team at Seal Sanctuary for staying on after finishing work to receive the pup."
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Photos Credit : George Tyrone Deacon - BDMLR
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Update - 27th May 2024 : The animal care specialist team have named this young seal pup, Emilia Clarke. She is currently in the hospital pen number 3. Emilia´s wounds are healing and she is eating fish for herself now. Also she is feeling so much better. In the next week or so, she will be moved down to the outside nursery pools. This photo below was taken on the 10th of May 2024. Since this photo was taken, Emilia has been moved down to the outside nursery pools for her next stage of rehabilitation.
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Update - 5th June 2024 : Emilia has been moved down to the outside nursery pools for her next stage of rehabilitation. This means she 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. Click here to see larger photos taken on 31st May and 1st June 2024 in nursery pool 1.
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Update - 8th July 2024 : Emilia is now ready to be released back into the wild. The photos below were taken on 7th July 2024.
Her flipper tag ID number is SL302 (yellow).
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Update - 10th July 2024 : The weather conditions in Cornwall were perfect to release Emilia who had been staying at the Sanctuary for the past few months was released back into the wild on the 10th of July 2024 at Perranuthnoe beach in South Cornwall.
Emilia was at a good weight and fully recovered thanks to the care and expertise of the brilliant Animal Care Team. It is such an amazing feeling for the team to see her happily "galumphing" back home.
Photo Credit - Lewis Jefferies - Photographer and Filmmaker
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Click on the photos collage below or here to see a selection of amazing photos of the release.
(c) Photos Credit : George Tyrone Deacon - BDMLR
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