It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for the BDMLR Outer Hebrides team as grey seal pupping season gets underway! 
A special shout out goes to BDMLR Coordinators Julia and Molly, as well as Steve from the out-of-hours team for managing the hotline, fielding calls from the public, coordinating rescues and rehab spaces when needed! Also to Old Mill Vet Practice, Stornoway for assessing the seal pups and providing veterinary care where needed.
Some of the volunteer Medics, Lyndsey Dubberley, Jimmy Myles, Deb Myles, Lily MacKenzie, and Mairi Robertson Carrey have been involved in assessing, monitoring, arranging uplift and care for four seal pups which are now in rehabilitation.
A huge shoutout to Lily, Jimmy, Deb, and Lyndsey for their incredible dedication, working tirelessly around the clock to provide rehydration fluids to pups overnight at Aroha Sanctuary and ensuring their safe transport to Calmac Ferries for their journey to Ullapool, from where they travel onward to Caithness Seal Rescue and Release. Special thanks to BDMLR Wester Ross Coordinator Donna and her amazing team—Leigh, Emma, and Joanne—for a smooth transfer from Ullapool to Caithness!
Stay tuned for these pups on our socials!
24 October 2024 – Isle of Harris, Northton – Seal Pup’s Journey from Rescue to Rehab!
Thanks to a caring member of the public, the swift response of BDMLR Medics, and local community support, a young, unweaned white coat seal pup was safely rescued from Tràigh na Cleabhaig, Northton, and taken to Stornoway for urgent care!
After receiving fluids at Old Mill Vet Practice, Stornoway, she continued her journey to the Aroha Sanctuary, where she was closely cared for and received further fluids overnight. The next day, she hopped aboard the Calmac Ferry to Caithness, bound for rehabilitation at the Seal Rehab and Rescue Centre!
A huge thank you to Calmac Ferries, BDMLR Wester Ross Coordinator Donna, and her incredible team who ensured a smooth transfer from Ullapool to Caithness!
Well done to the amazing teams at BDMLR Outer Hebrides, Aroha, Old Mill Vet practice, Calmac Ferries, and everyone who came together to make this rescue possible. It’s incredible what we can achieve as a community to protect our precious marine wildlife!
25 October – Isle of Lewis, Seal Pup Rescue at Dalmore!
Thanks to a quick call from a concerned member of the public, our BDMLR Outer Hebrides team was able to respond to an injured seal pup at Dalmore, Isle of Lewis. The pup, found with neck and back injuries, was carefully monitored, assessed, and immediately transported to Stornoway for a vet check.
After vet check, some iodine for the wounds and rehydration fluids overnight at Aroha Sanctuary, she began her journey to Caithness Rehab and Rescue Centre via Calmac ferry, and our tireless BDMLR Wester Ross Coordinator Donna and wonderful team, where she’ll continue her recovery!
A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this rescue possible – because of your kindness, this pup has a renewed chance to build strength and continue with life!
29 October – Isle of Lewis, Seal Pup Rescue at Mangurstadh/Mangersta
On October 29th, our team responded to a call about a young whitecoat seal pup in Mangurstadh. A wonderful, eagle-eyed local had been keeping an eye on this little one for a few days and noticed it seemed “a bit flat,” so they reached out to BDMLR for help.
Upon arrival, our team found the pup had a significant eye injury that needed urgent vet attention. Thanks to our amazing local community’s support, with a 4×4 and trailer assist we were able to quickly transport the pup to the vet in Stornoway for assessment, then to Aroha Sanctuary for rehydration, and finally on to Caithness Seal rescue and Release via BDMLR’s Wester Ross Coordinator, Donna and team, for a much-needed stay in rehab. We’re so grateful for the compassion and care from the local community in looking out for our wildlife!
This pup is now in good hands, and with some time at Caithness, it will hopefully soon be clearer what the prognosis is with this pup’s eye injury.
Huge thanks to everyone involved in this rescue — your compassion is helping our local marine wildlife.
30th October 2024 – Isle of Lewis, Uig Bay Seal Rescue Adventure!
Our BDMLR Outer Hebrides team had quite the callout in Cradhlastadh/Crowlista! A concerned community member spotted a determined young whitecoat seal pup who somehow managed to make it over 700 meters inland on a salt marsh! By the time our dedicated medics reached this remote spot, this little one had moved about 150 meters from the original reported location.
After a quick check, our medics found the pup was underweight, dehydrated and had a small cut over her eye. Thanks to our amazing local community, we were able to uplift the pup and away to the vet in Stornoway for further assessment. The vet administered antibiotics, and the pup spent the night at Aroha Sanctuary receiving rehydration from the dedicated team members.
Now, she is with Caithness Seal Rescue for R&R (Rest & Rehabilitation!), courtesy of Calmac Ferries and the wonderful BDMLR Wester Ross Coordinator Donna and her amazing team! Once this little seal is fully recovered, the plan is to release right back to the wild where she belongs!
Photos: Fiona Marie, Mairi Robertson Carrey, Deb Myles, Jim Myles, Aroha sanctuary.
