Shetland: Rescued seal pup returns to sea after being nursed back to health by Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary

A poorly seal pup found on a Shetland beach has been returned to the sea after being nursed back to health by rescuers.

Ollie was discovered by Pauline Walsh and granddaughter Olivia in February with a “terrible” growth above his left eye on February 12 and was taken in by the Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary in Shetland.

The pup was treated for sealpox by veterinary staff and kept indoors for a month at the rescue centre.

When the lump had shrunk and he had doubled in weight to 29kg, Ollie was moved into the sanctuary’s outdoor pool to aid his recovery on March 26.

Ollie was kept indoors at the Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary to aid his recovery during treatment

Pauline and Olivia recently watched alongside the Hillswick rescue team as Ollie was released into the water to begin his new life.

A statement from the rescue centre read: “He has been piling on the weight leading a life of leisure in the big pool for the past fortnight, but was always eager to be set free.

“Yet when he did finally take off into the bay, he did not travel very far. In fact he looked like he was expecting to be thrown a fish or two… which is what we did.

“Normally the seals we release disappear fairly fast over the horizon, but not Ollie.

“He was back again this morning and was only too happy to receive a few more herring to help him on his way.”