When common seal pup “Popeye” was first admitted to the BDMLR NEST Unit from Crimdon beach, he was only a few weeks old at most – weak, cold, underweight at 8.7kg and battling a severe eye infection. Medics provided round-the-clock care to stabilise him before he was transferred to Tynemouth Seal Hospital to begin rehabilitation.
Despite every effort, the infection worsened and Popeye’s eye eventually ruptured. He was readmitted to the NEST Unit to support him with specialist veterinary treatment and intensive pre-op care. From there, the dedicated team from Robson & Prescott Vets – Sztanko, Jack, Melanie and Bev – carried out a complex surgical operation to remove the damaged eye.
Against the odds, the surgery was a success. Over the past few weeks Popeye has been thriving at the NEST unit, gaining strength, weight and recovering well. Today, he was waved off by the R&P team and NEST Medics as he returned to Tynemouth Seal Hospital, where he will continue his rehabilitation journey. Once fully healed and at a healthy release weight of around 30-35kg, Popeye will be ready to return back to the wild.
Popeye’s story shows the vital role of the NEST Unit in giving seals a chance – where excellent veterinary care and Medic dedication come together. This seal’s survival is the result of a true team effort: first response on the beach, care at NEST, expert surgery at Robson & Prescott, and now rehabilitation at Tynemouth Seal Hospital – each step shaped by dedication and compassion.