A rescued seal pup named Cold Call after it was found on a doorstep is recovering with the help of care from Homerton' Director of Studies for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Dr Rachael McKinney.
The female pup, one to two weeks old when found on 2 January, was underweight when found by a postal worker outside the front door of a house in Gorleston, but is now said to be "bright and alert." Cold Call is one of several seals and seal pups brought in, in recent months.
Dr McKinney, who works as a veterinary clinician at the RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Hospital, said: “Cold Call is recovering very well and learning to eat fish for herself now.
"She has had some problems with eye ulcers but these have thankfully healed. We have an amazing care team!. It is an honour to work for both the college and East Winch Wildlife.”
The seal pup season runs from September to March, with many rescues of pups separated from their mothers occurring around this time of year. Pups caught up in storms can suffer malnourishment, head trauma, flipper injury, wounds, and infections.
Thankfully, rescued seal pups stand a great chance of being successfully rehabilitated and released back into the wild. There are currently 31 other seals at the East Winch Centre who are all doing well.
