New Seal Triage Centre Nears Completion, Expected to Aid Injured Animals

The establishment of a new seal triage centre, which its organisers anticipate will “save a lot of lives,” is nearing its final stages. British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) is constructing this facility in Morpeth, Northumberland, with the aim of addressing the increasing population of injured seals found in the north-east of England. According to Debbie Harrison, the Northumberland coordinator for BDMLR, the region has required such a facility for “a long time” because of climate change’s effects on seal pups. The North East Seal Triage unit (NEST) is expected to become operational within the next fortnight, coinciding with the peak of the grey seal birthing season. Ms Harrison stated, “Climate change is playing a large factor in what we’re doing.” Increased frequency of storms and elevated tides are endangering grey seals and prematurely separating pups from their mothers. She further noted, “They can’t survive on their own.” Ms Harrison highlighted a “lack of short-term care options available” for the increasing number of injured animals. She explained that a motivating factor for advancing the project was her rescue last year of a whitecoat pup named Sam, “who wouldn’t survive on her own,” for whom no rehabilitation spaces were accessible. BDMLR’s veterinarians, Robson and Prescott, provided temporary accommodation for the seal at their facility until a permanent space became free. Sam was subsequently released back into the wild in Ayrshire during November. Ivor Clark, who manages the Newbiggin Dolphin Watch group and is assisting with fundraising for the new centre, reported that the seal population off the Northumberland coast has experienced an “explosion in growth” over the last decade. He commented, “We’ve been crying out for something like this for years.” Clark added, “We reached the point where healthy animals were otherwise being put to sleep because there was nowhere to put them. “It was getting desperate.”” The forthcoming facility will accommodate a maximum of six seals concurrently for treatment assessment. While some seals will be released swiftly, more critical cases will undergo stabilisation prior to transfer to a rehabilitation centre. Ms Harrison concluded, “It’s going to make a big difference.” Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.