WESTERN ISLES
An abandoned seal pup has been flown to Glasgow by Loganair.
The two-week old pup was rescued by local vet David Buckland on Eriskay in the Western Isles.
The baby seal, accompanied by the vet from the Southern Isles Veterinary Practice, flew from Benbecula to Glasgow before being transferred to the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal’s (SSPCA) National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Alloa.
David has been taking care of the pup since Friday June 1 after finding her malnourished and in serious need of care. It’s not known what happened to her mother.
Once fit to fly, the pup was flown, free of charge, by Loganair to continue her recovery with the team at the SSPCA centre.
Loganair managing director Jonathan Hinkles said: ‘It was a pleasure to make arrangements to fly the baby seal pup to Glasgow and make sure she was given first-class service for her first time on board an aircraft. The Highlands and Islands is our heartland and we’re always glad to help where we can.’
SSPCA centre manager Colin Seddon said: ‘We have received a young female harbour seal at our centre in Fishcross. She seems to be in reasonably good health. She was found on a beach in Eriskay and
appeared to be dehydrated. Harbour seals are vulnerable and we will be keeping a close eye on her. We also received a male harbour seal of around the same age from the Isle of Eigg. He has improved overnight but will require round the clock care over the coming days.
‘Having two pups in at the same time is great for socialisation and the pair will be reared together. When they are ready to go back into the wild we will release them together at a suitable location on the west coast.’
Loganair has launched a competition on social media to name the pups.