ELVIS has not yet left the building and is continuing her rehabilitation (yes her – Elvis is a she!) at RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre in Taunton, Somerset.
Back in September she was rescued from the rocks at Porthcawl seafront with the local RNLI team joining forces with British Divers Marine Life Rescue to rescue the pup who was injured and malnourished and had also been separated from her mother.
Affectionately named Elvis after the popular Elvis festival held in the town every September – she was taken into the care of the RSPCA and taken to RSPCA West Hatch. There the charity’s wildlife rehabilitation team helps the seals build up the strength they need to be fit enough to be released.
The seals are initially brought to the centre’s intensive care pens before they are moved into a pool when they gain weight and begin self-feeding.
Each seal pup rehabilitated at RSPCA West Hatch can remain in care at the centre for a number of months and during this time the centre will be spending on average £1,400 a week on fish and veterinary care during seal season – which typically runs from September to March.
Wildlife Supervisor Paul Oaten said Elvis has been doing well in their care.
Paul said: “She is currently in one of our deeper outside pools with another seal named Dido.
“Just before Christmas Elvis was weighing at 30.5kg – which means she is only 4.5kg away from the target release weight for a female. If she keeps gaining weight well she could go for release early in the new year.
“She has progressed through rehabilitation very well. Upon her admission on 16 September, she weighed 13.6kg and completed a five-day course of antibiotics to treat wounds on her fore flippers and chin, which have since healed.
“We decided not to move her into the large seal pool with the other pups, as she was initially tentative about feeding and we wanted to ensure she wasn’t out-competed for food. She will likely remain in her current pool with Dido until her release.”
Her progress has been captured by RSPCA photographer Emma Jacobs – who visited the centre back in October and took a video of her swimming with Dido in December.
When Elvis is ready she is likely to be released from Devon which for a seal is just a short journey from where she was rescued from.
The RSPCA works in partnership with a number of other organisations to come to the aid of seals.
Ellie West, RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer, added: “We’d like to thank the RNLI and the British Divers Marine Life Rescue for bringing Elvis to safety. Partnership working is so important.”
The animal welfare charity advises that if members of the public spot a seal on a beach that they observe them from a distance and do not approach them. Seals are wild animals and have a nasty bite if they feel threatened. It is also advised people keep dogs on leads on beaches that have seal colonies too.
Elie said: “It’s not unusual to see a seal pup by itself, as their mothers will leave the pups alone very early on in life, feeding in the sea then returning to feed them.
“If you find a seal pup that looks fit and healthy and shows no signs of distress, monitor it first from a safe distance for 24 hours.
“However, if the mother doesn’t return after 24 hours or the pup appears distressed, injured or unwell, or is on a busy public beach, our emergency line can be reached on 0300 1234 999.
“Please always stay at a safe distance and keep dogs well away – seals can have a very nasty bite if threatened.”
There is more information on the RSPCA website about what to do if you see a seal or pup on the beach alone.
This winter, the RSPCA has launched The Big Give Back to Animals to raise vital funds for their frontline teams, and to ensure they can keep being there for the animals who give us so much, and ask for so little in return.
