Seal pups being bottle-fed by animal charity as rescue numbers soar

Staff at Scotland’s largest animal welfare charity are bottle-feeding rescued seal pups, with new admissions on the rise.

The Scottish SPCA (SSPCA) says 90 grey seal pups have been admitted to its national wildlife rescue centre in Alloa in the space of five months.

There are as many as 50 pups in the charity’s care at one time, with each seal requiring round-the-clock care, and some also needing veterinary treatment and medication.

Last May, the centre saw 25 harbour seal pups arrive at once, many of which were orphaned, and that number continued to grow until their release later in the year.

Admissions also began a month earlier than usual, with harbour seal season typically starting in June.

This was said to be triggered by earlier, warmer weather, with more harbour seals being released last year than ever before.

Staff at the centre have now developed an effective bottle-feeding technique with a balanced seal specific milk formula.

While still in the early stages, charity workers say the method has already “transformed early-stage care for premature and vulnerable pups”.

Human interference is said to be driving increasing admissions to the centre, they said.

Members of the public are being advised that the mum of a seal pup would be unlikely to return if people are near its young.

Disturbing a pregnant seal can also trigger early birth and abandonment, and dog attacks are also said to be a growing issue.

The SSPCA said one grey seal admitted to the centre was covered with infected wounds and abscesses, and was most likely the victim of an attack by a bull seal or an unleashed dog.

Scotland is home to around 90% of the UK’s seal population, and the charity plays a critical role in safeguarding their future.

Harbour seals are already vulnerable, with their population on the west coast declining by around 20% in recent years. On average, seals can be at the charity’s centre for around 64 days.

You can donate to the SSPCA seal appeal here.