Seals celebrate the Orange festivities too
We have named the young seal that washed ashore yesterday, and was saved by two Germans, would you believe it, Arjen Robben. Robben washed onto the dyke in the Dollard and was crying for his mum. The Germans saw the young seal scratching about forlornly and immediately called the SRRC. Every day, 3 to 4 seals are brought in. Today, two are already on their way, one of which has been named Giovanni van Bronckhorst. The grey seal, which has been staying at the SRRC for some days now, has been christened Bert van Marwijk.
Four orange seals can be seen in the Dollard daily. Are they celebrating the Orange festivities with us?
Extra many seal babies this year due to strong Northerly winds
The seal rehabilitation centers along the Dutch and German coasts have their hands full with the dozens of seal babies that have been washing ashore in the last couple of weeks. Now, the weather is wonderful, but not too long ago there was a prevailing, strong Northerly wind, preventing the sandbanks, where the babies were being nursed, from being above water long enough.
This has prevented many seal pups from drinking enough milk, causing them to become weak. Eventually, they lose their mothers and wash ashore along the Wadden Sea coasts. If they are lucky, they are found by observant ramblers and brought to the different rescue centers. Also, the special Seal First-Aid Team has turned out time and time again to save these babies. Over a hundred babies are now catching their breath at the SRRC in Pieterburen.
In Germany, there are over two hundred animals being rehabilitated. If you ask the SRRC, no animal should be left to its own devices. They will save any seal in need of help.
Luckily, these young seals have an excellent chance of survival. Almost all of them will grow into strong, healthy seals that are then released back into the Wadden Sea. In the next couple of months, the baby seals will be cared for in Pieterburen, so everybody is invited to come along and see them. People wanting to adopt a seal, or make a donation are very welcome. There is more information about that here.
07-07-2010 Source: SRRC Lenie 't Hart
