We are now into the harbour seal season. Several pups have been admitted in the last two weeks.

These pups all came from the east coast. They were found alone, looking pretty miserable.

Initially these pups were rescued by volunteers from British Divers Marine Life Rescue. These people have done training courses and learnt how to rescue seals, dolphins and whales.

Each pup is assessed and a decision made as to whether it needs to come into care. Some of the pups are treated by a vet before being transported to Hessilhead. Many of them are dehydrated when found, and some have bite wounds and need a course of antibiotics.

This evening we took a call from Maidens. A family out walking had come across a seal pup, and this one had a fishing hook in his lip. The seal was quite a long way from the sea, another clue that he really needed help.

We called one of our regular volunteers, Chris, hoping that she was at home and not too busy.

Of course she would help. Chris called the man and the family agreed to wait with the pup. It didn’t seem long till we got a call to say the seal was crated and would be with us in an hour.

Luckily our vet was on the premises. The seal was weighed, restrained and had its temperature taken.

It didn’t take long to remove the barbed hook and the seal must have felt better straightaway. Hopefully he will be self-feeding soon.