Young pups proving a hit with volunteers at seal hospital
TYNEMOUTH Seal Hospital has taken in two new tiny seal pups.
Continuing the tradition of naming its patients after breakfast foods, the hospital has named the new additions Mushroom and Cocopop. The arrival of the pair marks the start of what is expected to be a busy period for seal rescuers, with the breeding season for common seals, otherwise known as harbour seals, getting under way.
Mushroom was found on Cullercoats Bay, thought to have been abandoned by his mother.
The little pup came in with a few injuries on his tummy, most likely
from getting struck by rocks after not having enough strength to swim against the tide.
After being brought to the hospital and put on rehydration fluid to perk him up, Mushroom is now on a diet of fish soup until he gets big enough to start eating full fish. Although he weighs a petite 13 kilograms and has been left a little worn out by his ordeal, volunteers at the hospital say that the pup is still full of feisty spirit.
Cocopop was found at Cresswell Beach in Northumberland, and was brought in due to a wound on his rear flipper which is currently being treated with antibiotics. The pup also has an abscess on his mouth – it’s thought that this could have happened as a result of an instinct to suckle that can lead to young seals sucking on beach rocks when they are abandoned by their mother. Volunteers at the hospital have fallen in love with Cocopop and his huge eyes. The smaller of the pair at 10 kilograms, Cocopop is expected to stay at the hospital for around two months with
Mushroom until they are big and strong enough to be released into the wild. The Tynemouth Seal Hospital team say they are “keeping everything crossed” that the tiny seals pull through, with vets keeping a close eye on them – and plenty of fish, of course. Visitors to Tynemouth Aquarium will be able to see Mushroom and Cocopop at the on-site hospital now.