A local conservation group is preparing for a 'difficult season' with a lack of care options for rescued grey seal pups.
Grey seal pup season falls between October and January in the Channel Islands.
Commonly, pups are washed away from their mothers in a tidal surge, usually following a storm, and end up on beaches.
Last season was the busiest in 151 years for seal pups at the the GSPCA. In the past 12 years it has helped 41 seals back into local waters.
However, the seal facilities are being demolished to make way for a new Wildlife Hospital.
Steve Byrne, GSPCA Manager, says that will be an added challenge.
"In the interim we will triage any pups at the Shelter and have been in touch with friends at the RSPCA in the UK who will hopefully help in their Wildlife Centres.”
The closure of Guernsey's seal facilities ends an 18-year-long collaboration between the Channel Islands branch of the BDMLR (British Divers Marine Life Rescue), New Era Veterinary Hospital, and the GSPCA to get pups to Guernsey for rehabilitation and local release.
Jersey doesn't have the appropriate facilities.
In the UK, spaces for seal pups are limited, with two seal rehabilitation centres in the southwest of England being refurbished, and pilots needed to undertake any transfers from the islands.
Each year calls are increasing for the BDMLR Jersey group.
Donna DeGruchy, the BDMLR Coordinator for the Channel Islands and Marine Mammal Medic says: "I am in desperate talks to try and find a suitable solution to this year’s hurdles. We are hopeful we will find spaces in the UK if any seals do need to be rehabilitated this season."
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