News Update News Update Cornish Seal Sanctuary
Issue 186
April 2021

Back


The Sanctuary re-opens on 12th April 2021
We are very excited to let you all know that the Cornish Seal Sanctuary´s official ticket webstore is now LIVE! Click here to read the press release.

You can now pre-book your tickets for your future visits, we cannot wait to welcome you all safely back to the Sanctuary from 12th April 2021 - the seals are very ready to see some faces other than the staff!
Cornish Seal Sanctuary


The Cornish Seal Sanctuary are really proud to present Hannah Stitfall, Megan McCubbin, Lucie Donlan and Doug Allan asking you to help them to "Put Pups First", with some basic guidelines on what to do with seal pups you come across on the coastline and how you can help the Seal Sanctuary to help them, by supporting the appeal. Click here to watch the "Put Pups First" video.

Due to Covid-19, this season is going to be a particularly tough one for the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, so any support you can give, will go towards the rescue efforts. Thank you.


Simply text SEAL to 70470 to donate £5 each month The Cornish Seal Sanctuary are really excited to announce that we now have a monthly text to donate number! We have had lots of messages on how you can support the Sanctuary on a monthly basis, which we are so thankful for, so we have set up this super easy way to donate to us each month.

Simply text SEAL to 70470 to donate £5 each month.

*Texts cost £5 plus 2 standard rate messages*


Rescued Seal Pups 2020/21
Following Scampi´s recent surgery to remove her eye, she was doing really well in a hospital pen, being monitored by the team and having regular wound cleans to ensure it heals properly.

She has now been moved to nursery pool number 4 on her own to enable her to dive for her food and swim around some more which will aid her recovery, while limiting any risk of stress from other pups as she heals.
Scampi
Scampi Her wound is still being cleaned daily to ensure a smooth recovery and she is doing so well, back to her usual behaviour which is great to see.

Once Scampi is feeling better, she can have a pool mate in the nursery pools to socialise and compete for her food, after which she can be moved to the larger rehabilitation pool.
The whereabouts of the pups in the outside pools on 17th April 2021:-

Nursery pool 1 - Bratwurst (photo right)
Nursery pool 2 - Falafel and Croissant
Nursery pool 3 - Charsiu and Dosa
Nursery pool 4 - Scampi
Rehabilitation pool - Crème Brûlée, Halloumi, Dumpling, Kipper and Jambalaya
Bratwurst
Seal Release - 30th April 2021 On Friday 30th of April the time came to say goodbye to 5 more seal pups! Crème Brûlée, Dumpling, Halloumi, Kipper and Scampi which were released from Dollar Cove that morning, making their way back to their home in the sea.

It´s always an emotional moment saying goodbye to the pups that have been cared for here at the sanctuary, and so rewarding seeing them head back to the sea, free from their injuries and ailments and now able to thrive and live their lives. Click here to watch a short video of the seal release.

These photos of the rescued seal pups were taken on 17th April 2021. Click here or on the image of your choice below to see a larger version. Enjoy!
Bratwurst Charsiu Creme Bulee Croissant Dosa
Falafel Halloumi Jammie Dodgers Kipper Scampi
Schnitzel Stew Yoghurt


Walrus seen in the St George´s Channel!
The Walrus is a large flippered marine mammal with a discontinuous distribution about the North Pole in the Arctic Ocean and subarctic seas of the Northern Hemisphere. The walrus is the only living species in the family Odobenidae and genus Odobenus.

Thousands of miles from home Wally is more used to a quieter life, away from humans, in the Arctic. But, after straying unusually far south into Tenby, Pembrokeshire, the walrus has become a bit of a tourist attraction for visitors over Easter.

Now authorities are asking them to leave Wally in peace, after reports of jet skiers, surfers and paddle boarders "disturbing" him by getting too close. Conservation groups have urged people to "enjoy him from a distance".

The walrus is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, and anyone caught disturbing the animal may be committing a criminal offence.

The RSPCA are tracking the Walrus, but if anyone is concerned he may be injured or appear unwell, they can contact them on 0300 1234 999 or the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) on 01825 765546.

(c) Photos Credit - Nikki Nahal


Photo Gallery
We hope you enjoy the selection of photos taken this month, click here or on the photo of your choice below to see a larger version.


The Beaver sisters, Barbara and Twiggy, are getting on really well in the Beaver Nursery! They are learning valuable skills including dam and lodge building to prepare for their move to the wild enclosure once they are bigger.

The Animal Care Team have spotted the girls have even felled a small tree, which is a fantastic sign!
Beaver Nursery


Animal
Adoptions
Dogs are
Welcome
Sanctuary´s
Leaflet
A special way to honour a birthday, special occasion or to commemorate the life of a loved one, while supporting an important cause.

To purchase an adoption, simply call the Seal Sanctuary on 01326 221361 or purchase your adoption pack during your visit!   Please click here for more details.
Did you know that the Cornish Seal Sanctuary loves well behaved dogs! Dogs are always welcome at the Sanctuary provided they are kept on a lead.

Please do not leave dog(s) in your car during your visit. Also don´t forget to bring some poo bags with you to clear up after your dog(s).
Click here to download a printer friendly pdf version of the Sanctuary´s leaflet.


Click here to view the latest Sanctuary´s map.
Animal Adoptions Dogs are always welcome Leaflet for 2021


How would you like the opportunity
to name a seal pup?!
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary´s pup sponsorship programme for 2020/21 rescue season allows you to support seal pups in need and follow a pups journey from rescue to release, giving you more of a chance to be involved than ever.   You will receive:-

• The chance to name a pup*
• Pup updates (including photos)
• The opportunity to attend the pup´s release*
• One entry for up to four people to visit the pup
• A pup adoption pack
Pup sponsorship is £250...If you want to sponsor a pup or for more information, please call 01326 221361!

*Any inappropriate names will not be allowed. Invitation to the release will be given, however, please be aware that due to weather and sea conditions, sometimes notice can be very short, i.e. the day before. The Seal Sanctuary will film and send you the release in these cases.


If you find a Seal in the Wild
For over 60 years the Sanctuary has been rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing pups from the Cornish coastline and beyond that find themselves in trouble, whether it be eye problems, respiratory infections and malnourishment to broken bones, pollution-related problems and being separated from their mother too soon.
BellaBella being checked by the Animal Care Team
A quick reminder that if you discover a seal pup that is in distress or alone, please call the Seal Sanctuary on 01326 221361 and/or the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) team on 01825 765546.

DO keep your distance;
DON´T attempt to handle or touch the pup;
DON´T attempt to put the pup back in the sea;
DON´T ignore the situation;
DO tell the appropriate organisation.

When you ring an appropriate organisation, please be prepared to give an exact location of the seal, your contact details, what condition is the seal in for example is it alone, thin, injured or seems unwell (noisy breathing, coughing, runny nose). Tell people around you to keep clear of the seal by at least 50 metres, if you can, draw a circle in the sand around the pup.

Remember most often seals come out of the water on to land to rest, digest after eating their food, relax and sleep.


What to do if you find a dead seal on beach!

If you come across a dead seal, the advice is not to touch or go near it, please call Cornwall Wildlife Trust on 0345 201 2626 or go to their Website.




Post Release Monitoring of Seals
Each update we will include any tagged seals spotted in the wild by members of the Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust (CSGRT) from around the coast of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly:-

Woody on 1st April 2021
Hufflepuff on 2nd, 4th, 12th, 18th, 25th & 30th April 2021
Hetty and Hungry Caterpillar on 7th & 24th April 2021
Guinness and Mawgan on 8th April 2021
Shirley on 10th, 24th & 25th April 2021
Orion on 11th April 2021
Whist on 13th & 25th April 2021
Sprout on 16th, 17th & 23rd April 2021
Petunia on 24th April 2021
Cherub and The Shining on 27th April 2021
Shuttle on 29th April 2021
Elvis on 30th April 2021

The above information regarding tagged seals seen in the wild is copyright of the CSGRT.

By monitoring the behaviour of seals after release back into the wild, the Cornish Seal Sanctuary and the CSGRT can use this information to define the best practice standards and policies that they can share with the international rescue community.

Each seal´s fur pattern is unique and enables the CSGRT volunteers track them for life. Seals face many challenges, yet we all depend on them to balance our marine ecosystem, this is essential to make the oxygen we breathe. Seals are our globally rare wildlife tourist attraction, helping diversify coastal economic prosperity.

(c) Photos Credit: Mawgan (left) and Guinness (right) were taken by Kate Hockley of CSGRT



This news update has been put together by volunteers/supporters of the Cornish Seal Sanctuary.

¦ News Update Menu ¦