Julia Roberts was rescued on 21st January 2024
|
Julia Roberts, a 4-5 months old female grey seal pup, was rescued from Pendower beach on the 21st of January 2024 by volunteer marine mammals medics of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR).
The marine medics carried out a full assessment of the pup and found she had a few minor scrapes but one that was a little bit more of a concern which was a swollen middle digit on her front flipper which was sticking up a little more than the others. Although she was definitely quite feisty, she was very tired. Not surprising as the sea was awful. The pup was also malnourished and underweight at 16.1kg for her age.
This pup was transferred to the BDMLR´s seal hospital in Cornwall for initial treatment and care until a pen was available for her in the Sanctuary´s hospital at Gweek on the 5th of Fenruary 2024 where she continues her rehabilitation journey.
| Photos Credits - Alison Davey and Lizzi Larbalestier - BDMLR
21st January 2024 and 4th February 2024 in the BDMLR´s hospital
|
Update - 25th February 2024 : Since being rescued, Julia has had the middle digit on her front right flipper amputated during her time at the BDMLR Cornwall Seal Hospital and it is now healing well. She is already feeling stronger and eating for herself. Julia spent a few weeks in the hospital before being moved down to the nursery pools. Photos of Julia below were taken on the 24th February 2024 in the hospital.
Her flipper tag ID number is SL294 (yellow).
|
| Julia is now in the outside nursery pool number 4, this means she is on the road to recovery and mixing with other seal pups, 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. Photos below were taken on 24th February 2024.
|
Update - 25th March 2024 : The weather conditions in Cornwall were perfect to release some of the seal pups who had been staying at the Sanctuary for the past few months were released back into the wild on the 21st of March 2024 at Perranuthnoe beach in South Cornwall.
Julia along with Alastair Mackenzie, Florence Pugh, Matilda, Muffy and Ricky Gervais, were all 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 them happily "galumphing" back home. Good luck little ones.
|
|
