Meet the seals

Macey and Pippa: Six-year-olds Macey and Pippa both suffer from thyroid conditions and will be on medication for the rest of their lives.

They were rescued by Hunstanton Sea Life Centre when they were pups, before being transferred to the sanctuary in Barcaldine in October 2012.

If they didn’t get their medication, their fur would fall out and they would feel very ill.

They wouldn’t be able to survive in the wild. They were brought to Barcaldine to keep Lora company.

Lora: Lora is the eldest seal at 11 years old and was born at the sanctuary.

As she was born in captivity she cannot be released into the wild because she doesn’t know how to hunt for herself as her mother never had to teach her.

She is described as a clever and daring girl and her favourite place is the wall between the two seal pools.

The animal care team say it’s amazing to see her jump out of the water and onto the wall.

Boo: Boo, aged four, is a rescued pup from summer 2014. He came to Oban’s Scottish Sealife Sanctuary on June 15 in a very weak state. The sanctuary believe he was abandoned so young because he was born prematurely.

Boo, who is partially sighted, loves playing with hoops and his favourite thing is spinning around in the water.

He is very curious and likes watching guests through the windows.