BBC
A gray seal named Hercules Beetle is recovering in hospital in Cornwall
A marine animal rescue group fears climate change is responsible for an increase in the number of baby seals requiring rescue.
British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) has moved its first seal of the season to a hospital in mid Cornwall and expects more to arrive as winter storms separate pups from their mothers.
The gray seal, nicknamed Hercules Beetle, was rescued by BDMLR for treatment of an eye infection.
Dan Jarvis, director of social services and conservation at BDMLR, said: “Because of climate change, more severe storms are becoming more frequent, causing more deaths among us.”
Caterpillar was found alone, with her umbilical cord still attached
The BDMLR hospital has ten rooms where seals receive food and veterinary care.
Jarvis said: “Unfortunately, although we have had so many casualties this winter, especially with the storms coming in at short notice, this has the potential to overcrowd the available space between centers in Cornwall.
“We have consistently filled this unit completely over the last few seasons.”
Jarvis said it was vital that the organization continues to provide lifesaving resources for gray seals as there are “only around 350,000 of them worldwide” and Cornwall is their stronghold.
“Our response must be to take care of these animals because gray seals are one of the rarest seal species in the world,” he said.
Stick Insect is extremely malnourished and very lethargic
BDMLR always gives the rescued seals nicknames, previously they were named after food and celebrities, but this year they are insects.
Also being treated at the unit is a young Caterpillar seal that was separated from its mother with its umbilical cord still attached.
“In very young puppies, infections enter the body and sepsis can be a problem,” Jarvis said.
Another extremely malnourished seal was named Stick Insect.
“He’s about five to six weeks old, but he’s now at his birth weight, when he should be around 30 kilograms,” Jarvis added.
Dan Jarvis says we need to do what we can to support gray seals around Cornwall
BDMLR is a separate organization from the Cornish Seal Sanctuary in Gweek, but at this time of year the centers cooperate.
The shelter receives the first puppies requiring rescue and rehabilitation, but BDMLR serves as the “overflow unit.”
“We have a full hospital here with vets who can look after the puppies for the medium term and then transfer them to pools at other facilities,” Jarvis said.
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