Shetland Seal rescue

I was down at Leebitton/ Sandsayre  a couple of days ago and started to photograph a few waders at high tide

Moving across towards the jetty i could see something small laying on the concrete and it was moving occasionally. Moving closer i could see a very small Grey seal pup which didn't look in a very good condition

I could see no adult seals around so just stayed to observe more before moving in closer. It made no attempt to move away and just turned on the spot. It looked very thin towards the tail and have a cut just below its throat

I am glad I moved across because i was able to divert two dog walkers away from the area, both dogs off the lead and may have attacked the young seal

After about 1.5 hours and very little movement from the pup I phoned Hugh Harrop and he said he would come for a look as i didn't have a phone number for the Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary

Pups are normally weaned after about 3-4 weeks so although it looked abandoned it should have been in a position to fend for its self.

Hugh arrived and said he would contact Jan and Peter at the sanctuary, he had to go but phoned Karen Hall who said she would come down with gloves and a cage and take it up to Hillswick. 

Jan reported later that the pup was in very poor condition and perhaps wouldn't have lasted the night.  It was very dehydrated , emaciated due to lack of food, had a very poor sounding chest, suggesting a bad case of lungworm and  his mouth was full of blood from rotten gums. 

Jan and Pete gave it antibiotics and got some fluids down him and hoped for the best. Next morning he looked a lot better , the blood in his mouth had cleared up and the gums were already healing. A long way to go but its looking hopeful.

He has been named Gisli, a Norse name meaning `Ray of light', by Sunnyside Primary School in Glasgow

Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary is having a complete rebuild and do fantastic work looking after sick Otters and Seals, look them up on facebook

Another update today (19 12 20) seal still doing well, check out Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary facebook page

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