This Seasons Rescues 

Java	Fiji	Cuba	Rathlin	Innisfree

Trinidad	Tobago	Lanzarote	Skye	Magee

Iona	Rona	Malta	Bali	Barra

Arran	Islay	Lewis	Rockall	Utila

Jura

Update: 6th September - we are sad to annouce that Tonga passed away on the 3rd of September. We are currently awaiting the results of a post mortem examination.  

Update: 23rd September - the final results from Tonga's post mortem have now been received and unfortunately the cause of death is still unknown as the results were inconclusive. This is extremely frustrating, not only because Tonga appeared healthy and showed no signs of illness until the end of August, but also because many of the other pups in the hospital pens developed similar symptoms. Symptoms included respiratory infection, lethargy and loss of appetite. Although the pups now appear to have recovered from the mystery illness, we are continuing to monitor them very closely.

Update: 3rd October - having fully recovered and learnt to feed, Fiji, Rathlin, Innisfree and Trinidad have been moved outside to the nursery pond. They can be seen 'live' on the seal cam.

Update: 18th October - Fiji, Rathlin, Innisfree and Trinidad have been moved into the large pond. The increased size and depth of water in the large pond helps to develop diving and swimming skills, which are essential for catching food after release.

Update: 2nd November - Java and Skye have now been transferred from the hospital pens to the nursery pond. Despite being two different species of seals, Java is a common seal and Skye is a grey seal, the two have become firm friends.

Update: 19th November - after spending two weeks adjusting to life outdoors, it was time for Skye and Java to vacate the nursery pond and join the other pups in the large pond. The nursery pond didn't stay empty for long though as Malta and Rona were moved out the same afternoon. Pups normally remain in the nursery pond until settled and feeding well before being moved into the large pond - Malta and Rona however took matters into their own 'flippers' and climbed over the rocks dividing the two ponds and into the large pond during the night! 

Update: 25th November - Malta has been moved back into the hospital pens as her greedy pond mates in the large pond were eating not only their own share of the food, but also much of her share! She will be moved outside again when we are confident she will be able to compete for food. Tobago and Bali have now been moved to the nursery pond.  

Update: 29th November - more moving seals about! Tobago and Bali have been upgraded to the large pond to make room for Iona and Barra in the nursery pond.  

Update: 1st December - so it turns out that Iona and Barra also like to rock climb  - Barra took himself into the large pond during his first night outside and Iona followed him the following night! That's now eleven pups in the large pond.

Update: 5th December - and Magee in the large pond makes 12 - he climbed over the rocks after 2 hours!

Update: 31st December - just two rescues this month, Rockall and Utila, but four releases!! Fiji, Rathlin and Innisfree on the 9th, and Trinidad on the 22nd. Good luck guys, safe journey!

Update: 31st January - sometimes even with all the best care in the world by our team we are unable to save all the pups. We are very sad to report that Rockall had to be euthanised by our vet after failing to respond to treatment for a gastrointestinal condition. RIP Rockall. On a much brighter note, we released another 8 pups this month - Java and Rona on the 12th, Cuba, Tobago and Magee on the 19th, and Skye, Iona and Barra on the 26th. We also welcomed seal number 24 of the season, Jura, who was rescued from a bush in Waterfoot!

Update: 23rd February - another five releases this month. Malta and Islay on the 2nd, Bali on the 9th, Jura on the 17th, and Lewis on the 23rd. That just leaves two pups in the sanctuary, male grey seals, Arran and Utila.

Update: 16th March - our two remaining seals, Arran and Utila, have been joined by Java and Jura...........AGAIN!! Java had to be re-rescued from Clogherhead, Co.Louth, on the 26th of February (7 weeks after being released) after he hauled out on a slipway with a swollen left shoulder. This injury, caused possibly by a boat collision, meant he was unable to swim or dive properly for food. As a result he lost quite a lot of weight. Jura was re-rescued on the 1st of March (2 weeks after being released) after making a nuisance of himself at Whiterock Sailing Club - he was trying to get through the gates and onto the main road! Regular visitors to Exploris will recall that Jura had an eventful rehabilitation first time round and liked nothing better than to climb out of the seal ponds and onto the paths. On two occasions we found him on top of an 8ft high wall. Our plan is now to try and make the seal ponds Jura proof! Thankfully re-rescuing seals is a rare occurance - Java and Jura are only the 5th and 6th out of 284 released pups that have needed to return to Exploris for a second time.

Update: 5th May - Java and Jura have been returned to the wild.........for a second time! They were released on the 1st of May into Strangford Lough and we are all hoping that that's the last we see of them at the sanctuary. No seal at Exploris has ever had to rescued for a third time - so hopefully Java or Jura won't be the first! We wish them both a long, happy and healthy life.