January 23, 2020 - 1013 views
Three grey seal pups, in serious ill health and washed up along the shore of North Wales, are set for release back into the wild tomorrow following a period of rehabilitation at the Welsh Mountain Zoo.
The release will take place on Thursday 23rd January at 11am from the beach in Penrhyn Bay (opposite the Golf Club) where the Zoo’s expert Keepers will carefully transport and encourage the trio to begin their first free water swim since being collected by the RSPCA.
The three pups have been named after bodies of water in the Himalayas, Renuka, Sela and Ravi, taking inspiration from the Zoo’s current project, the ‘Silk Road’.
Silk Road will see a complete redesign of the Snow Leopard enclosure, replicating the mountains and terrains in which the animals naturally live and roam.
The Zoo continues to work closely with the RSPCA, who identify at risk pups, often washed up, disorientated and in poor health having become separated from their mums in stormy weather. All aged under one month old, the seals where considerably underweight and in need of urgent care and attention.
The Zoo has become a centre of excellence for the rehabilitation of young seal pups and upon arriving at the Zoo, Keepers immediately began the lengthy process of rehabilitation.
Initially at a dangerously underweight 13.5Kg, they leave at a very healthy 41Kg- 45Kg. Fed a diet of predominantly fish soup, the pups have now moved on to fresh fish, eating up to 7Kgs of fish a day.
Tom Lawrence, Assistant Head Keeper at the Welsh Mountain Zoo, commented: “It’s quite emotional for us all here at the Zoo as we say goodbye to our pups.
"It’s with pride that we've watched them grow, regaining their strength and confidence, ultimatley making the journey back to full health.
"Ensuring that they are strong and fit and able to return to their natural habitat, however, is always our ultimate goal.
“We’re incredibly proud of our work with distressed seal pups and are now considered as a centre of excellence for their welfare and rehabilitation.”
