Seal ya later!

RAPUNZEL and Thumper, two common seals that were found severely injured were released back into the wild at Cullenmore beach.

On Saturday the 5th of Nov at 1.00pm they made their way back to where the female seal Rapunzel was first found. The two seals were found on the beaches of Sligo, Rapunzel at Cullenmore and Thumper at Kellystown in July of this year and both seals were believed to be around 3 and a half months old.

Neil Walton, a volunteer for Seal Rescue Ireland for the last 12 years often comes across injured Seals: “I keep an eye out to an assess seals to see if they are in danger or if they are merely just resting. I also keep an eye on seals that look severely underweight. I then take them back to the seaweed baths were I have space for them and I re- hydrate them and clean up any cuts.”

When Rapunzel was first picked up she had severe injuries as a result of an attack by another Seal. She was also very small and underweight. Thumper was also very young when he first came in and his umbilicus was found still intact and when it was removed he bled profusely for days. Both seals where then taken to a rescue centre in Courtown in Wexford by the members of the rescue network based around Ireland.

Both seals were immediately put into intensive care where they were put into a warm insulated area and given glucose and electrolytes along with antibiotic and preventive work treatments.

Neil said: “They were delighted to be back in the Sea as they have been in fresh water the last few months. They were lovely seals playing with each other. When they were released back into the sea you could see them chasing fish. They are tagged which makes it easier for us to identify the seals now and be able to check on them. Thumper and Rapunzel are from that area so it is their natural instinct to stay around that area, so you might still seem them!”