Irish Seal Sanctuary

'To Provide Shelter, Treatment and Rehabilitation for Rescued Marine Wildlife Found in Difficulty around Ireland's Coast'

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Seal the Deal for an Irish Marine Conservation Centre

The Irish Seal Sanctuary is fundraising for a Marine Conservation Centre in Ireland with seal rehabilitation as a key-stone to the wider marine environment. Further engagements with marine conservation include the promotion of sustainable fishing methods and responding to oiled seabirds with a facility on the site for their rehabilitation. The ISS is organizing a 'Seal The Deal' fundraising campaign to supplement Fingal funding for the project or to finance the build cost of an independent project on a smaller scale.

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The 'Seal The Deal' Raffle Draw

The 'Seal The Deal' raffle draw took place on New Years Day.
The winners are here !

To see examples of other marine eco-tourism centres, please click on the links below.

Photo of Ostend Wildlife Hospital, Belgium: for image please click here.
National Seal Sanctuary, Cornwall: http://www.cornwall-online.co.uk
Loggerhead Marinelife Centre of Juno Beach, Florida: www.marinelife.org

	The ISS appreciates the the help and support of everyone who has contributed to the 'Seal the Deal' campaign for the establishment of the Marine Conservation Centre. A special word of thanks to the following people who have contributed substantially to the campaign. Many Thanks to :

...to Kenmare Bay Hotel for donating a stay in their luxury hotel.

...to West Cork Sailing and Powerboating for donating a trip to the seal colonies.

...to Clarion Hotel Sligo for donating a stay in their hotel.

...to Solis Lough Castle for donating a stay in their hotel and a trip to see the seal colonies.

...to Bellinter House for donating a stay in their hotel.

...to Shannon Dolphin Watch for donating a trip to see the dolphins.

...to James Englishfor donating a painting from his collection.

...to Marlfield House for donating a stay in their hotel.

...to Cliff House Hotel for donating a stay in their hotel.

...to Pat Kinevanes and Fishamble for their support.

Seal Release this Saturday

Cloe will be released on Saturday, 6th March 2010 at 3 pm from Clogher Head Beach Drogheda, Co. Louth, near the Lifeboat Station.

Cloe' a grey seal pup rescued by Fishermen will be released on Saturday after being rehabilitated back to full health.

Cloe was rescued just after Christmas and weighed a tiny 8kg. She was about 5 weeks old and was found on the slipway of the harbour in Clogherhead. She rested at the local fishshop until the volunteers from the ISS could get to collect her.

There was heavy ice and snow and she did not have enough blubber to cope with the low termperatures, so she had to be kept under heat until she improved condition.

Each animal the ISS releases, is a special animal. But the tiny ones always pull on the heart strings when they come in looking so pathetic and vulnerable. It is always a little more special to see them go back to the wild in full health.

All are welcome to attend the release and we hope we see you there.

Oogling Seal

All are welcome to attend the releases ! Seeing a wild animal return to their home is a special occasion certainly not to be missed.

As always, releases are dependent on weather and final medical check-ups.

Be sure to arrive early as releases are usually exactly on time.

For further information contact the Irish Seal Sanctuary on 01 835 4370.

Sasha
Sasha, the tiny grey seal pup is almost the smallest grey seal pup we have ever had. She arrived 29th of November, 2009 from Sligo where the volunteers braved the floods to drive to pick her up. She is only 9kg in weight. Grey seals are between 15-20 kg when born and she is 3 weeks old! Although she is very thin, she is also very small in build, most unusual for a grey. She is lively and bright and we are optimistic for her but it is early days yet.

The last tiny grey we had was Saoirse from Inishbofin, who came in at 7kg. She was however so ill and almost unconscious when she arrived and is a great credit to all the volunteers who nursed her back to health despite her sorry state. Saoirse was tiny but not in build, she was so emaciated. She was released back to the Atlantic from Salthill and we hope very much she is enjoying the wild to this day. We will keep our fingers crossed that Sasha makes a full recovery too.

Meanwhile after the storms of Sunday, the calls are coming in from around the country about pups in trouble. This has to be the worst year ever for dead, dying, emaciated and injured pups we have ever had. What is happening out there?

While we are happy to see seals go back to the wild healthy and fit, this winter due to the cap on operations we are happy that room has been made for another animal in distress to get care and attention.

News from the Seal Sanctuary
On Thursday, 19th Nov 2009 at 8.20 am two very unusual characters emigrated to the UK, taking Stena sailing. Unable to receive the support they need in Ireland, they are seeking help from the RSPCA in Norfolk. Tara (TP) and Little Stranger, two harbour (common) seal pups that needed extended care were brought by volunteers from the Irish Seal Sanctuary to the RSPCA facility for seals in Norfolk. The Norfolk marine animal hospital is one of a number of facilities in the UK able to take of and rehab seal pups. We in Ireland have to depend on a back garden and some passionate volunteers to take care of our wildlife.

The Irish Seal Sanctuary made the difficult decision to take them to the UK for care, to make it possible to continue to take in animals in urgent need of help. With little funds left, we have had to cap our rescue season and are trying every way possible to assist as many suffering animals as we can, the other option is not one any of the volunteers want to consider, but may have to very soon.

For further information contact the Irish Seal Sanctuary on 01 8354370.

Visit the Irish Seal Sanctuary
The Grey Seal season is starting at the ISS and some of the pups have moved in to the nursery pool. Arrange to take a trip to see the seals and find out more about seal rehab by phoning Sarah on 01 8354370 (Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays between 10am and 12 noon). The group rate is €75 and we can facilitate groups of up to fifteen members. The ISS requests that individuals and families make a small donation of €10 to support its work.

Volunteering Opportunities
Volunteers with a three month commitment are needed to work with grey seals in autumn and winter. Please contact Sarah at info@irishsealsanctuary.ie for more details on volunteering with the ISS.

First Grey seal blaske5.jpg (3204 bytes)

pup of the season. A beautiful whitecoat, grey seal pup has been rescued by caring members of the public and brought to the Irish Seal Sanctuary for care.

The pup was noticed on Rosbeigh Beach in Kerry and members of the public called the ISS for advice. (read more)....

Grey Seals
With the changing climate the breeding habits of grey seals appears to also be changing. Usually our first arrived in late September early October, but now we get calls in August. The grey seal has her pup on the beach or in a cave, it is important to remember that she leaves it there alone and comes back to feed it. The pup does not really go into the water until it is weaned after about 3 weeks. So it is important for people not to touch the pup or the mother might reject it.

If you are concerned about a pup call 01-8354370 for advice. You will get an answer machine but we will call back promptly.

Never Never put a seal back into the water, they are beached for a reason.

Grey seal pup sleeping at the beach.

Common Seals Rescued in 2009