The grey seal had been rescued in from Red Wharf bay in Anglesey on Wednesday (23rd Nov). It had been monitored for 48 hours and no parents were seen during this time so help was needed. The orphaned seal is said to be about 2 weeks old; she weighed in at 15kg on admission.
Trying to minimize stress as much as possible Michelle covered the seal with a towel and restrained it by kneeling over its back and pinning its head down (gently but safely), making sure her fingers were nowhere near its mouth! Then Sophie aided her with the syringe and tube whilst it was fed down its mouth and into its stomach. She also had the glamorous task of taking its temperature via the rear end.
It was feisty as expected and made noises I'd never heard an animal make before. Staff here receive lots of training with seals as although they look cute they can give you a nasty bite, apparently. The seal is tube fed five times a day and is currently being fed a mixture of lectade which is a re-hydration therapy with aqua-vitamins and fish soup which is blended mackerel.
This seal is being transported to RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre shortly; they specialize in the rehabilitation of seals and offer more facilities for this. I am confident it will grow and make a full recovery and I am eager to keep up with its story.
Catherine Smith
Student Placement
'If you would like to help RSPCA Stapeley Grange with a donation of just £3, simply text RSPCA2 to 70007‘ Texts co
'If you would like to help RSPCA Stapeley Grange with a donation of just £3, simply text RSPCA2 to 70007‘ Texts co
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