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A Guernsey seal rehab facility that was supposed to be closed for renovation has specially reopened to look after a pup who washed up at L'Etacq in Jersey after being separated from his mum.
A marine mammal medic found the "growly wet seal pup" stranded on rocks beneath the seafood restaurant Faulkner Seafood during a routine beach clean on Sunday morning.
He was subsequently named Faulkner.
The two-week-old pup remained under the observation of the local branch of British Divers Marine Life Rescue at L'Etacq.
Pictured: Early morning on Sunday 12 November, a marine BDMLR medic was busy doing a beach clean down at L'Etacq when she stumbled across a "growly wet seal pup" resting in the rocks, just under Faulkner fisheries.
They said: "All he wanted to do was sleep, and he was very content doing just that."
Despite efforts to wait for the high tide in hopes of a reunion with its mother, Faulkner was eventually carried away by the tide at 16:00.
The medics stood down for the day “with heavy hearts full of worry for the little pup” as darkness set in.
Pictured: “As darkness set in, the pup started to look tired, less playing and more bobbing, and the last view was him drifting south, out to sea”.
Fortunately, Faulkner reappeared on Monday morning, where he was transferred to New Era Veterinary Hospital for a short stay before arriving on our neighbouring island on the paper boat early Wednesday morning.
Steve Byrne, GSPCA Manager, explained: “We volunteered our help for Faulkner the Jersey grey seal pup as they were struggling to find somewhere for him to go.”
Pictured: In the early hours of Wednesday morning, the paper boat arrived in Guernsey with not only the newspapers but also a young grey seal pup.
“At 22kgs we now have to double his body weight and get him wormed, so he is in our intensive care area for seals,” he added.
The GSPCA was due for refurbishment and closure for long-term seal care this season, with plans for seal pups to be sent to the UK for rehabilitation.
Pictured: Faulkner the grey seal pup is in the care of the GSPCA after being rescued in Jersey.
However, due to a delay in the revamp until spring and the fact that all UK seal rehabilitation centres were already at full capacity, Guernsey staff offered to care for Faulkner.
Mr Byrne explained that the GSPCA is facing challenges, including a lack of freezers to store and storm-related damages from Storm Ciaran – highlighting the need for financial and logistical support.
A local marine wildlife charity previously warned that young seal pups were “going to struggle” due to the impact of Storm Ciarán.
Donna de Gruchy, the Jersey co-ordinator for British Divers Marine Life Rescue, said that there is “no doubt” seal pups which were not old enough to survive independently “will wash up on our beaches”.
She said: “The chances of seal pups surviving after washing up are really slim, and they are likely to be found drowned.”
ADVICE:
Islanders who come across a struggling seal pup or distressed marine mammal are advised too “stay back, never attempt to put them back in the water, keep dogs on leads and well away”.
They should also contact the JSPCA on 724331 – or via their out-of-hours number on 07797 720331 – to alert the BDMLR team.
DONATE:
To contribute to Faulkner's care and support GSPCA's initiatives, donations can be made through their website HERE.
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