Seal of approval...

Being one of the UK's largest wildlife rehabilitation hospitals, Stapeley takes in its fair share of Grey Seals from all over the North West. Whether they've been found beached or injured, the team here are always prepared to provide these guys with all of the care they need in order to recouperate enough to be released back into the wild.

Due to their strong bite potential (Google seal finger if you want to be grossed out), students have to be supervised when cleaning these guys out or feeding them. See below photo for a very ~marginally~ angry seal.

Despite their potential for a bad rep, they're usually pretty calm and are more than happy to just observe you with those huge eyes as you scrub their pool around them. Rarely in the centre for more than a couple of weeks, all seals pictured here have already been released back to the areas that they were found (After being confirmed healthy and ready of course!).

The most common reason for seal pups being bought into centres is that people mistakenly think they've been abandoned. If you see a seal pup alone that looks otherwise fit and healthy, and is showing no signs of distress, monitor it from a safe distance for 24 hours before calling it in.

If the mother does not return within 24 hours or the pup looks sick or injured, please call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.

Chelsie Hirons-Major
Student Placement
To support the ongoing work of the wildlife hospital, during this extremely difficult time, please donate to the Wildlife JustGiving site.