Seal from Dordrecht saved
Today, a seal swimming in the Maas near Dordrecht was saved. Department of Waterways’ employees managed to catch the animal with a scoop net and called the SRRC. They immediately got in touch with the seal first-aid network and the animal was taken to Pieterburen in an animal ambulance. The Department of Waterways’ employees are so enthusiastic about the whole operation that they have decided to adopt the seal.
The seal shows signs of lungworms and is, therefore, the first patient under pups born this year. The young animal is very short of breath. Lungworms are parasite that destroy the lungs and make breathing almost impossible. Seals literally suffocate in the worms. Lungworm infection is a childhood disease that young seals normally outgrow within their first year. Pollution has caused the immune system to deteriorate, causing problems for the seals. However, possibly there are additional causes, such as the decline of the number of small fish in the North Sea.
Last year, the SRRC had over 300 lungworm patients in rehabilitation. That was an unprecedented disaster and caused many problems for the capacity of the centre. There were animals literally everywhere, even in bathrooms and toilets. Thanks to the help of volunteers and financial supporters the SRRC managed to save most animals. The main question is how many animals shall be felled by lungworm this year?08-09-2010 Source: SRRC Lenie 't Hart
