Seal Rescue
Several seal rescue programs have shown encouraging
results in preserving the life of seals facing the danger
of death at the beaches. Upon recovery from a crucial
situation, a seal is normally put in a quiet isolation
pan and allowed to de-stress. Once a medical examination
is carried out, an appropriate treatment is decided.
The major issue in seal rescue is feeding the pup. The
milk of a seal is highly fatty. When the cow’s
milk contains only 4% fat, the seal’s milk contains
over 40% fat. In addition, the way a pup suckles is
different from that of cats and dogs. Seal pups can
never be taught to suckle from a feeding bottle. After
about a week’s training, they can swallow whole
sprats measuring 3 inches. Initially, the mouths of
the pups need to be opened while feeding them. Eventually,
they learn the idea and line up for their two hourly
feeds.
During this phase, the pups are given vitamins and
medicines by slipping a pill inside a small fish. As
the training progresses, pups are moved to rearing pools
in the centers where they are taught how to feed on
fish in the water. This phase also allows them to gain
a considerable amount of body weight, besides the skills
required for surviving in the wild. A few months of
medication and training enable them for an independent
life and they are eventually left in the sea.
Commercial hunt by humans for seal fur and blubber
is the main threat to seals. In addition, getting entangled
in discarded ropes, nets and fishing line; chemical
pollution and over fishing can also cause risk to their
life.
Hauling out in the coastal area is a normal part of
seal’s behavior. In an effort to rescue seals,
it is important to maintain a distance and watch them.
If a seal is healthy, it is better to leave it alone
without causing any disturbance. A seal seen in autumn
or winter with a white long-haired coat or a small animal
of less than 3 feet spotted between June and August
may mean that the pup is abandoned by its mother. Before
deciding this, watch out for an adult seal in the proximity
area and water. If nothing is found around, then you
may examine the animal in close quarters.
If the seal is thin with visible ribs, neck and hip
with wrinkled skin, it can mean malnutrition. Besides,
coughing, rapid breathing, wounds or swelling on flippers
or body, mucus coming from nose – can mean ill
health. In such cases, the help line may be contacted
with the description of the seal’s condition and
location. During this time, you may safeguard the seal
till the rescue team arrives. Also, it is necessary
to restrain the animal entering the sea. It is not advisable
to go near the pup as it may bite in defense.
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