Snowy the seal pup treated to diet of fish soup at rescue centre
Animal welfare managers have rescued an orphaned grey seal pup found washed up on a beach.
Animal welfare managers have rescued an orphaned grey seal pup found washed up on a beach.
The Scottish SPCA was alerted to the young female, which was only a few days old, after it was discovered by a member of the public on Newburgh beach in Aberdeen last week.
The pup, which has been named Snowy, is now in the care of the charity's National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fishcross, Clackmannanshire, where she is being rehydrated and will then be fed a diet of fish soup.
Centre manager Colin Seddon said: "Snowy is our first grey seal pup of the season, which will last until March or April next year and usually sees us treat over 100 injured or orphaned pups.
"Snowy is currently being rehydrated and then she will be fed a diet of fish soup. Following that, she will be moved on to a diet consisting of whole fish and will be moved into one of our large outdoor pools with other seals until she reaches release weight.
"We've no doubt she'll be joined by many more seal pups in the coming weeks and months."
The charity is urging members of the public to contact its animal helpline if they see a distressed seal pup lying on the shore this winter.
Mr Seddon added: "Anyone concerned about a seal pup, including any who appear injured, are found on public beaches or are spotted in unusual places such as non-breeding areas, should give us a call before approaching them.
"We are often contacted about seal pups that are healthy but have been abandoned by their mothers because someone has disturbed them."