Seal Rescue workshop held in Cahersiveen in Feb
SEA Synergy was delighted to co-host a Seal Rescue Ireland Volunteer Workshop at Cahersiveen Library on the 22nd of February 2020. They had a great turnout of participants coming from all over Kerry.
From their website: “Seal Rescue Ireland (SRI) is a charity organisation that works around the clock to rescue, rehabilitate and release native seals found sick, injured or orphaned from across the coast of Ireland. As the only seal rescue centre within the Republic of Ireland, we respond to reports nationwide and aim to rehabilitate the pups back to full health so that they can be returned to the wild.”
The workshop was very informative and fun, led by Seal Rescue’s Animal Care Director, Mel Robinson. It began with an introduction on how to identify the differences between the two main seal species in Ireland: grey seals and common seals, and particularly how to identify pups of the different species. They then talked about seal behaviour and how to identify healthy vs. unhealthy seals and seals that could be in dangerous situations.
“One of the most important things I took away from the workshop was not to mess with entanglements around seals until they’re safely back with SRI because you could cause them more pain or give them an infection,” said Sara, a participant from Waterville, “All in all it was an incredible course and I would recommend it to every animal lover out there!”
Participants learned how to identify a seal in distress and how to properly ensure its safety and the safety of people around it. The new volunteers are very excited to put their newfound knowledge to the test protecting and surveying seals across the Kerry coast.
If you are interested in becoming a Seal RescueIreland Volunteer or are interested in upcoming wildlife training modules hosted by Sea Synergy, please contact seasynergyOA@gmail.com.