The number of dead seals in Denmark is no longer rising on the island of Anholt. Danish Researchers had discovered a morbillivirus (phocine or canine distemper virus) there and had brought this to the attention of the media. The Danish institute now declares that no dead seals have been found on any of Anholt’s neighbouring islands, nor has there been any increase in deaths along the Danish coast. We hope that the Danish researchers will soon clarify what exactly is, or, has been going on in Anholt. It seems a great coincidence that three times now the common seal has suffered from mass mortality in Anholt.
We hope that mother Dubbel-lotje and her pup Afke from Ameland can be safely released back to sea soon.
At the SRRC, all the seals have been vaccinated and we hope to be able to release the first 14 in three weeks time. We have not found any suspect dead seals in the Netherlands yet. Meanwhile, our large tent has been equipped as a stand-alone rehabilitation unit for sick seals showing suspect signs. The firm Jager from Midwolde (asbestos removers) has supplied a shower unit so the ex-winter pavilion is able to function as an entirely independent unit.
07-03-2007 Source: SRRC Lenie 't Hart
