Seal pup abandoned by mum after fireworks set off at Scots nature reserve

Iona Young

9 November 2024 at 9:53 am·3-min read

The seal pup was abandonded. — -Credit: (Image: Ythan Seal Watch.)

A seal pup has been abandoned by its mum after fireworks were set off at a Scots nature reserve on Bonfire Night, a local nature group has claimed.

The British Diving Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) charity was alerted to the stranded seal left alone on a rock far from the sea on November 6 which had to be taken into the rescue centre at New Arc just outside Ellon in Aberdeenshire as it would have died from the lack of food and cold if left.

Devastating images show the little grey pup alone in a cage after arriving at the centre and from afar left to fend for itself on the grey rocks.

The poor pup was abandoned. -Credit:Ythan Seal Watch.

Shocking images also show fireworks debris left nearby, which the charity believes caused the pup's family to leave as it was born earlier that day.

Local group Ythan Seal Watch shared an update and said: "Pup number two of the season was in a very unusual spot on the estuary near to the Ternery on the river bank and had been born early that morning.. Cat contacted the BDMLR who monitored the pup for most of the day but sadly it had been abandoned."

Fireworks were left nearby. -Credit:Ythan Seal Watch.

"Due to the incoming tide and the pup trying to be fed by some Seals in the river unsuccessfully, it was clear that no adult Seal had bonded with the pup, and the decision was made to uplift it. In the location it was, it would not have survived the incoming tide as it is not equipped to swim for any length of time in the white coat or maintain heat. Uplifting a pup like this is not a decision that is taken lightly.

"The pup was uplifted by BDMLR medics in the late afternoon with support from the staff at Forvie National Nature Reserve who helped them to transport the pup off the reserve where it is now under a heat lamp and receiving much needed care at the New Arc. Although it is not naturally being raised and weened on the haul-out the pup is safe and now has every chance of surviving."

They added: "Sadly despite our patrol on November 5 we missed fireworks being let off on the nature reserve. On the morning of November 6 rockets and other fireworks were found on the river bank directly opposite where the pup was abandoned.

"We are confident that the fireworks resulted in the pup being abandoned. The pup had been birthed at that site and was not premature as the result of a disturbance. Please rest assured that next year, the beach and river up to Insch Road will be heavily patrolled from the last light around this time of year. Regardless of what happened with this incident, how it happened, or the outcome, letting off fireworks on a National Nature Reserve is unacceptable."

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