From rescue to release: Injured seal pup back in the wild in Cornwall
Nemo was found at Gwenver with multiple injuries
Last updated 19th Feb 2022
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary has shared the story of a little injured seal pup and his journey from rescue to release.
On 26th of November, the sanctuary received a call by a concerned member of the public to report a pup on Gwenver beach with multiple wounds on his body and appearing very lethargic.
The team at the sanctuary set off to go and monitor the pup. They checked over his body where it was found that he had suffered from multiple wounds on his flippers and middle. He was malnourished and needed some fluids to prepare for his journey to the vets.
Nemo travelled to the vets and was administered the medication needed to start his rehabilitation journey. Back at the sanctuary, he was checked over once again, treating any wounds before feeding him a fish smoothie with medication crushed up inside.
He had to be on antibiotics for about 10 days to make sure his wounds would not become more infected due to Nemo having a high white blood cell count.
Nemo spent the next couple of months learning to eat fish on his own, competing and interacting with other pups, Nemo was often very competitive when it came to his fish!
When the team was happy with his progress, he was released on 12th January at 46 kilos along with fellow pups, Blue Shark and Starfish.
The sanctuary rehabilitate over 60 grey seal pups rescued from around the Cornish coastline each season, providing them with vital care, with the goal to be able to release them back into the wild when they are fit and healthy.
This season, the sanctuary has had 41 pups through their hospital doors, with 16 released successfully back into the wild and 17 currently still recovering at the Sanctuary.
This February half-term (19th– 27th) the Cornish Seal Sanctuary are holding their ‘Pup Party’ event, where guests can enjoy meeting the seal pups and enjoy lots of dog-related activities.
Staff say the sanctuary is very dog friendly so dogs can join in on a fun day out!