Seal pup casualties still being found
East Winch Wildlife Centre caring for nearly 100 pups
A wildlife centre already full to the brim with seal pups orphaned by a tidal surge in Norfolk is continuing to be under pressure with more casualties coming in.
The RSPCA’s East Winch centre in Kings Lynn had 108 seal pups in its care after a tidal surge in December – more than it had ever dealt at any one time in its 25 year history. Because they were so young and reliant on a mother’s care, they needed hand feeding at regular intervals and round-the-clock supervision in order to survive.
Nearly two months on, the centre is still far from out of the woods with 93 in. Many of the pups are still in need of intensive care and hand feeding, and a steady trickle of poorly youngsters continue to be brought to the centre in need of care. Just this Saturday (18 January), two more seal pups were brought in and there were three others the weekend before.
Alison Charles, centre manager, said: “We are in for the long haul with this one – it is going to take some months to get these pups fighting fit and ready to be released back to the wild.
“There were just so many of them in such a young and vulnerable state and the level and intensity of care they need has been full -on ever since. It is not likely to calm down here for some months yet – especially with new pups continuing to be brought in every week.
“Many of the pups are doing really well and are now feeding for themselves and swimming in the outside pools, but there are still over 40 in our intensive care.
“It is going to take some months and a lot of hard work to get them through this difficult time. It is impossible to know for sure that these new arrivals are still struggling as a result of the tidal surge in December, but it seems incredibly likely that this is still a knock-on effect.
“I am so proud of my poor staff, who have been working until after midnight every night) and for so many weeks – it feels relentless at times.
“But it is all worth it when you see how well some of the pups are coming along. We just need to keep on going until they are all out of intensive care and making a good recovery.”
There are still 44 seal pups in the isolation unit – in need of a lot of care including being tube fed with medicine and fish soup every four hours; or hand fed fed. There are 18 who have progressed to the intermediate pools, which means they are eating by themselves and gaining weight. The others are in the outside pools doing well, but many are still too small and underweight to be released back to the wild.
It could take another three months until these seals are ready to be released back to the wild again.
A crisis appeal launched to help the seals in December received a fantastic response.. Many of the practical donations have been sent in – from liquidisers to dog bowls to measuring jugs.
However, with the cost of feeding each of the 91 seals estimated at £22 a week, and each animal expected to need up to five months of rehabilitation, donations are still very much needed..
Alison added: “People have been incredibly generous and we've been overwhelmed and amazed by the way people have wanted to help.. The seals’ plight has obviously touched a lot of people’s hearts.
“We’re a long way from being out of the woods yet though with this one. The care will need to continue for many months more before any seals are released back into the wild, and any donations will be very gratefully received. Perhaps a few volunteer masseurs wouldn’t go amiss to help with all the staff’s aching bones!"
The RSPCA can only care for animals like this with your help. If you want to help the seals continue their rehabilitation journey please visit:
http://choices.rspca.org.uk/seal-appeal
The centre is also appealing for a number of practical items used by centre staff to rehabilitate the seal pups. These can be taken directly to RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre at Station Road, East Winch, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE32 1NR. These include:
· Sachets of Lectade (large animal)
· Pestle and mortar
· Deck scrub brushes(Salmon make)
· An industrial dishwasher
· Squeegies
· Vileda sponge mops X2
· Large Vari kennels
· Milk, tea, coffee and sugar to keep the staff and volunteers going
The centre does not need any more towels following a successful recent appeal.
Notes to editors
For interviews, filming requests and photographs contact the RSPCA press office on 0300 123 0244 or email press@rspca.org.uk
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