Archie the seal’s Arran adventure
Pup recovering after being rescued from campsite
A common seal pup who was rescued from the Kildonan shore is doing well at a rescue centre after an extraordinary adventure on Arran.
The white coated seal pup nicknamed Archie was separated from his mum by Storm Ophelia during rough weather and sought refuge, fittingly, at the Kildonan Seal Shore campsite.
Making for a rather noisy camping companion, he spent the night next to one of the camping pods, keeping everyone awake with his sad and mournful calls.
The following morning after being notified about the unaccompanied pup, the Arran Ranger Service along with campsite own- er Maurice Deighton, arranged for respite care at the Hessilhead wildlife rescue centre in Beith.
While awaiting transportation bleary eyed campers who had been kept awake all night, visited Archie who had by now became a minor celebrity and a willing participant in a number of ‘sealfie’ photographs.
Transported
Following an online appeal for a volunteer to transport Archie across to the mainland by ferry, a suitable vehicle was found and volunteers known only by the names of Sophie and Sam, transported him in their pickup – in a pet carrier – to the Ardrossan ferry terminal where he was col- lected to continue his journey to his destination in Beith.
Since his Arran adventure, Archie is reported to be sleeping well, eating sprats and recovering. His release back into the wild, once he has regained his strength and is mature enough to take care of himself, is being closely monitored online by his legion of admiring fans who met him during his short visit to Arran.