East Winch animal centre launches new appeal
AN ANIMAL centre has launched a new appeal to help it deal with an unexplained influx of needy seals.
The RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre is now dealing with a record number of seals at its specialist rehabilitation centre, and twice the number it would normally expect at this time of year.
With costs of feed now hitting around 800 a week the centre has come up with its meals-for-seals appeal, asking people to donate cash to help feed its guests.
The centre's aim is to prepare pups for return to sea and as the appeal was launched it offered the Lynn News access to the moment one little guy got on his way at Sutton Bridge.
Centre manager Alison Charles said: "It is most unusual to have this number of seals in care and especially at this time of year.
"They have come from all over the British Isles and the majority are weak and emaciated on arrival.
"We used to have separate seasons – one for the common seals in the summer and one for the grey seals in the winter – but the two seasons now seem to have merged together and we constantly have seals in need of our care. We are not sure why we have seen this dramatic change."
The centre currently has 54 grey seals and seven common seals. Many of its young grey seals were brought in from the north-east of England after particularly stormy weather and very high seas. They had become separated from their mothers and were starving when rescued from beaches.
When they arrive the seals first need to be rehydrated then progress on to fish soup – liquidised herring and rehydration solution – before progressing on to whole herring.
To donate to the appeal call 0300 123 0540 between 9am and 8pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 5pm Friday or visit www.rspca.org.uk/meals forseals
You can also text SEALS to 60022 and someone will call back in office hours to arrange payment details.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 27 May 2012
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