P R E S S R E L E A S E
Number of sick seals with lungworm rises dramatically
In 2009, 170 common seals have already been brought in to the SRRC
Pieterburen, October 1st, 2009: The SRRC in Pieterburen is taking in more and more seals. Last winter, the seal hospital rehabilitated over 150 seals, who were all suffering from a lung worm infection, in the space of only a couple of months. Compare this to the winter of 2007-2008, when only 70 seals were brought in with the lung worm infection. Research has shown that this huge increase is a development within the last decade. Until the end of the nineties, the number of lung worm sufferers was quite stable. Since then, however, the SRRC notes an exponential rise in the number of victims.
Every year, the SRRC has to deal with patients bursting with lung worms: these parasites destroy their lungs and make breathing almost impossible. The clinical picture of the animals is terrible. They get almost no air; have bloodied mouths and lifeless eyes. The worms literally suffocate them. Lung worm is actually a paediatric disease that most animals have outgrown after their first year. However, pollution is weakening the immune systems, which causes great difficulties for seals. Possibly, the decline of small fish in the North Sea is another reason for this problem. The SRRC’s scientists are currently researching this matter.
The SRRC takes in every seal that needs help. But Lenie ‘t Hart is worried about the high numbers of sick seals brought in to the SRRC this year. “I keep my fingers crossed with so many sick seals. Our rehabilitation capacity is about 80 animals a year, but we have already taken in twice as many animals this year. Apart from limited space, we also have limited means, as we are entirely dependent on money from our supporters. I never turn a sick seal away, but where will I get the money to rehabilitate them? I am deeply concerned...”
10-01-2009 Source: SRRC Lenie 't Hart
