TRUSTEES' REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2014 9
TRUSTEES' REPORT
Seal rehabilitation
Summary of progress
After the storm surge over the winter of
2013/14 the RSPCA had to care for 58 grey
seal pups that had become separated from
their mothers. In addition to the 50 already
in our care this was the most we have had
in the 25 year history of our seal centre at
RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre. Due to
the professionalism and 24-hour care the seals
received from the dedicated staff during this
period, the vast majority were rehabilitated and
returned to the sea. Between 2005 and 2014
the RSPCA has dealt with over 1,600 seals but,
with the increase in population of grey seals,
the number being rescued on the west coast
and Wales has started to rise and put pressure
on our already stretched facilities. This pressure
was exacerbated by the closure of a non-RSPCA
seal centre in West Wales in February 2014, as a
result of which the RSPCA rescued a total of 34
seals from West Wales during the year.
What we will do in 2015
As seals need specialist care and equipment,
the long-term plan is to improve the facilities
we have for seals at RSPCA West Hatch and RSPCA Stapeley Grange
- our two wildlife centres in the west of England. This will raise their
capacity to treat seals from ten a year to over 40. New pools will be
constructed with finance being raised from major donors and other
sources and new processes introduced to ensure the seals from West
Wales can be rehabilitated in the nearest facility.
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
Gra
WE
STA
MA
EA
2014201320122011201020092008200720062005
Figure 2 Number of seals admitted to RSPCA wildlife centres 2005-14
Grand total
East Winch
West Hatch
Mallydams Wood
Stapeley Grange
Joe Murphy/RSPCA Photolibrary