Record Number of Seals in Exploris
16th February 2006

Exploris Currenlty hosts 18 Seals.

Seal News - November 2006

Hosting 18 seals at presen - t Exploris Technical Staff are under increasing pressure to look after the number of sick, injured and orphaned seal pups from local waters.

Exploris has been rehabilitating sick or injured seals since 1989 and has returned 148 seals back into the wild to date. 25 seals were rescued between May 2005 and February 2006, the largest number of seals ever rescued in one season at Exploris. The seal hospital is at its busiest during the two pupping seasons. Common seals are born during June and July and grey seals between September and December. Due to a bout of Seal Pox, three of last seasons seals could not be released until the infection had passed; therefore the season ran on longer than expected as Tania Singleton – Exploris Seal rehabilitation officer explains:

“Similar to chicken pox, seal pox is a highly contagious viral infection which spreads by both direct and indirect contact. Symptoms are small raised pimples mainly on the muzzle, flippers and belly. The incubation period of seal pox (the time between being exposed to the infection and the appearance of symptoms) is 3 to 5 weeks.

 Although healthy seals seem unaffected by the pimples, complications can arise in weak, sick pups where secondary bacterial infection can be a problem. Seals therefore that have the infection are not released until the pimples have cleared as they may infect wild seals. It can take a few weeks to sometimes several months, for the pimples to clear completely to leave hairless marks on the skin. The last time we had an outbreak of seal pox in Exploris in 2003, all but one of the seals became infected.”

Some of last seasons residents became quite attached, Passanda attracted the affection of Vindaloo whilst Dansak had feelings for Poppadom. The staff at Exploris took much amusement from his flirting and show off style! Poppadom was released prior to the outbreak of seal Pox, so Dansak had to wait a while before their love could be re-united!

The common seal pupping season has just started, so it looks like the seal rescue team might miss their well deserved break! The first common seal of the season has been introduced to our nursery pond as she is progressing well, 'Squirt' a premature pup From Newcastle three kilos under birth weight. Tania, who was on the scene with her team for most of this seasons rescues says “premature pups are very prone to infection, as they may not yet be fully formed, however 'Squirt' is doing well and everyday is a good one.” 'Squirt' is named after the turtle from Finding Nemo, which is the theme for this seasons seal names. Shortly after squirt arrived she was joined by Dory, Bubbles and Nemo himself, who are all progressing well.

There is currently one seal available for adoption - 'Squirt'. The nature of rehabilitaion means there are times when there will be no seals in residence. Please call in advance of your visit if you are particularly interested in seeing the seals.

Contact our Seal Rehabilitation Team on 028 42 72 8062.

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