GSPCA seal pups in need of quality fish

It is the second pup from the island to be transported to the animal shelter in the past month.

Marty, as he has been named, was rescued by Jersey British Divers Marine Life Rescue yesterday on Green Island beach.

He spent the night at New Era Vets and was transported by Blue Islands from Jersey to Guernsey.

Geoff George, GSPCA animal ambulance officer and head of marine mammals, said Marty weighed just 18kg and appeared to be much older than Andrew, which arrived last month.

‘Marty is very thin and has a very bad chest and we now have him isolated in a new isolated pen that we have had to create this morning to keep him separate from Andrew the seal pup,’ he said,

‘He is extremely thin. although we are all very pleased that after his check-over on arrival he has started eating fish all on his own.

‘He has a long road to recovery and it is very early days but we will do all we can for him around the clock here at the GSPCA.’

Marty is estimated to be six to eight weeks old and as well as a chest infection he is also in an emaciated condition.

GSPCA manager Steve Byrne said it was important that the two pups were kept separate to ensure no cross-infection occurred. The team had been extremely busy preparing the area for Marty.

This was a huge undertaking and showcases the need for a new purpose-built Wildlife Hospital, he added.

‘A huge thank you to all of the staff, volunteers, placements, Work to Benefit team members and helpers this morning that did so much to prepare for Marty the grey seal pup,’ Mr Byrne said.

‘With Marty already eating his first fish we are putting out another appeal to help both seal pups – we are looking for good quality fresh mackerel or herring, or you can donate via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jerseyandguernseysealpups or any of the other donation pages we have, calling 257261 or at the GSPCA in St Andrew’s.’

Mr Byrne said Andrew continued to improve each day and had just passed his first month in the shelter’s care.