Seal Pup Stranded at Albert Dock Cared For by Medivet 24 Hour Alder

On Wednesday 4^th November, passers-by spotted a young seal pup on the steps of the Royal Albert Dock in Liverpool. The British Divers Marine Life Rescue was called to save the seal pup, which was transferred to Medivet 24 Hour Alder for initial assessment and stabilisation. Once there, the team appropriately named the pup Alberta and one of the nurses went to collect some fresh fish, which Sainsbury’s generously donated.

Minor lacerations were found under Alberta’s fins and the team provided a feeding tube throughout the night in their large isolation room, away from domestic patients to ensure the young seal was comfortable in a safe and quiet area. The next morning, a rehabilitation space was sourced at the RSPCA in Stapeley Grange, who currently have nine seal pups in their care and have set up a JustGiving page to help care for their pups and other wildlife animals.

“We work very closely with the wildlife charities all over Liverpool and regularly offer clinical support for some interesting animals, however, this is the first baby seal we have cared for. Vets Cara and Inga, supported by nurse Sammy, have looked after Alberta round the clock. Alberta has been the perfect patient, and stayed in an isolated room, away from our usual patients.

Although Alberta was dehydrated and had some minor lacerations under the fins after some care, the baby seal was fit enough to be released back to the Stapeley Rehabilitation Wildlife Centre, where they will continue the rest of their treatment.”

Geoff Potts, Partner and Veterinary Surgeon

Medivet 24 Hour Alder forms part of a crucial Wildlife Network for the North region, acting as a halfway house for wildlife casualties, with the nearest RSPCA wildlife rehabilitation centre based an hour away in Nantwich.

The team will triage and stabilise any wildlife casualties, which can be released back into the wild. As well as this, volunteers will visit the practice 2-3 times a week, collecting as many as nine wildlife casualties each visit. The volunteers transport them to the RSPCA where they will receive expert veterinary and husbandry care until they can be released back into the wild. 

This mutual relationship means we provide British Wildlife in the north the best chance of a successful release back into the wild.

Medivet 24 Hour Alder care for many birds of prey, owls, hedgehogs, foxes, pigeons, Canada goose, bats and much more, but Alberta was their first marine mammal. It was a great experience for our clinical team to be involved in this case and it really lifted team spirits during these difficult times.

We hope to see Alberta back in the wild soon.