Puppy Grey Seal

[dbozkurt]

I am on the small Island of Benbecula and decided to take my camera out to find pictures of gulls at the Airport Beach at Balivanch. The tide was out and after trying to get close to a few birds, I reviewed the picture on my LCD display to find just behind the gulls was a baby seal. I clambered over rocks and waded through rock pools and got very close to the pup. It made me want to cry and give it a cuddle, it didn't seem to be worried just tired and waiting for the tide to change. Still got furry pelt, very young. The beach near where I am is about 8 miles from the Monach Isles where the biggest concentration of seals is in the uk (I think) Autumn watch was filming there a couple of weeks ago. It proberly got washed in. Please see an attached photo, I have posted a lovely image to the Gallery so please keep a look out. I will be posting the rest (20 good pics) to my picasa site...I don't know if I am allowed to attach a link to it from here? If not happy to email any other pictures....please bear in mind a very amateur photographer with only a Canon Power Shot.

I hope the seal was ok was sad to leave it

Debbie[IMG][/IMG]

[edge1255]

Hi Debbie,

Young seals always look so cute! Don't know if I would want to cuddle one, though, they're a bit smelly! I handled one at a sealife centre and boy it sure had bad breath!! Great picture, by the way. What gear are you using?

Jon

[dbozkurt]

I have a Canon Power Shot S2 with a small zone lens attachment, nothing special to be honest I spend my leisure time wading through peat bogs clambering up hills anything else I would be terrified of damaging. I did get nearly within touching distance....it is very grey here today, storm coming so the light was terrible too, just left it on automatic.

Debbie

PS didn't smell, though the seaweed on the rocks would have disguised any pong

[mim]

Hi dbozkurt, the link below details what can happen if a seal pup is touched by humans, but also gives details of what to do when encountering seal pups. Once you have clicked on the link below go to the piece at the top of the page that says this:Cornwall Seal Group (Disturbance : Everyone please click here) Hope this will help in the future. Mim


Cornwall Seal Group

[dbozkurt]

Don't worry I never touched it and the sea was between me and the rocks (I took the pictures on a zoom lens), there was no mother about. Did query whether it would be ok leaving as seemed so young but was told that but because there are so many seals here they are left on their own devises.

Thanks for the Link

Debbie

[edge1255]

Hi Mim,

Good site on the seals, very informative.

Jon

[Suesseals]

Glad you like the site.

I try to keep it updated weekly with what's going on with seals in Cornwall!
As a result of this post, I've been prompted to change the front page - should have done it a couple of weeks ago.

Instead of the disturbance link quoted above, click on the 'Urgent - if you see...' link at the top of the page to find out more information about what to do if you see a seal pup.

You can always ring the Cornish Seal Sanctuary as they can quickly put you in touch with your nearest facility!

[edge1255]

Does the Cornish seal group have contact numbers for other seal groups nationwide? I live up here in Scotland and wouldn't have the faintest idea who to contact.

Jon

[Suesseals]

I guess these will be a long distance from you, but there are 2 seal sanctuaries that I know of in Scotland - one in Ullapool and one in Oban, but there are active groups all over. Most are affiliated to British Divers Marine Life Rescue as Marine Mammal Medics. People will be posting in the forum on their website at British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Hope this helps?
Sue
Cornwall Seal Group
Cornwall Seal Group

[edge1255]

Ta much Sue, I'll take a note of this info.

Jon