The recent storms have taken their toll on the seal pups born this autumn around our Island shorelines. The ManxSPCA received a much higher number of calls about ‘stranded’ pups than normal, and Manx Wildlife Trust sadly logged and recorded many more dead seal pup bodies than it would do in an average year.

Many of the seal pups that appeared stranded were, in fact, simply resting and they swam back into the sea on the next tide. However, one particular female Grey Seal pup found on Fleshwick beach was clearly unwell and had an injured flipper.

She was brought to the ManxSPCA’s seal enclosure at Ard Jerkyll and was given immediate veterinary attention. This involved removing two of her claws and treating the surrounding flesh which was badly infected. Rose, as she was named, was only a few days old and unable to eat for herself. She was bottle-fed several times during the day with a fish soup, and she soon started to gain weight.

After two weeks Rose was weaned onto solid fish, but she needed this to be fed to her by her carers and she simply didn’t have the instinct to take hold of a fish and swallow it for herself. The ManxSPCA’s seal facility is limited and it became apparent that Rose needed to be able to mature in a larger enclosure surrounded by other seals, so that she could learn to swim and hunt.

On 21st November Rose was transported in a ManxSPCA ambulance, accompanied by two members of staff, to a wildlife centre in Ayreshire. She travelled well, and tucked into an afternoon snack of mackerel as soon as she arrived in her new home.

Her prognosis is excellent – if she learns to swim and use her injured flipper properly, and she can fend for herself, she will be released back into the wild. If she is compromised in any way, she will spend the rest of her days at the centre which has large sea water pools and specialist facilities.

The Isle of Man Steam Packet provided free crossings to and from Heysham. Matt Creer, one of the ManxSPCA officers who transported Rose, said: ‘It’s great to see charities and organisations working together so that we can achieve positive outcomes for animals. Rose is now in the best place possible for her long-term rehabilitation, and the opportunity to forge links and swap ideas and best practice with Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue has been invaluable.’