Two seal pups rescued from Dorset beaches just days apart

One of the pups was found in the area of the Fleet and is estimated to be around four or five weeks old.

It was rescued by Julie Mason, a Volunteer Medic with British Divers Marine Life Rescue.

Mrs Mason explained that the charity received a call from a concerned member of the public, so she headed down to assess the situation and decide whether the seal needed to be taken away.

As soon as she arrived, she knew the pup was in trouble as it was laid in ‘a banana shape’ which seals do in order to get warm.

Whirly Gig after the rescue (Image: Julie Mason)

The medic also explained that it appeared ‘nearly lifeless,’ and that ‘members of the public could approach the seal closely’ which was also a bad sign.

She said: “Seals will haul out because they need to get warm and be able to digest their food.”

The pup had not been feeding properly and appeared to be so determined to get rescued that he even climbed into the cage himself.

He has since been named Whirly Gig.

Whirly Gig is in recovery (Image: Julie Mason)

The rehabilitation process meant that Whirly Gig had to be re-hydrated and then put onto a diet of his favourite food which includes octopus and is currently doing well.

Sadly, the second pup which was found just four days earlier at Chesil Cove, Portland had to be put down as it had sustained some nasty injuries.

Mrs Mason said: “Unfortunately it had injuries to its flippers - the kindest thing was to put it down.”

The seal pup that had to be put down (Image: Julie Mason)She explained that the injuries, which became infected and ‘extremely difficult to treat’ could have been bite marks from other seals, but this has not been confirmed.

A healthy seal pup should weigh between 30-40kg and both of the ones that were found were ‘well under half’ that weight.

Portland has quite a large seal population and it is unknown whether the pups were local to the area.

The medic revealed that ‘they do travel around the country and sometimes you will see a seal that has been rehabilitated and released that has travelled 110 miles down the coast.’

Although seal rescue has remained a key component of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue ‘s work, it has become progressively more involved in the response to stranded and entangled cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoise). 

If you find a crustacean that has become entangled or stranded, contact the British Divers Marine Life Rescue on: 01825765546.