Found on the shores of St. Ninian’s Isle, Lulu, a gray seal pup, was desperately in need of help, her hunger compounded by painful pecks from bothersome birds.
From Rescue to Recovery
With the help of the Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary, she has made a remarkable recovery, and now she serves as an inspiration to others at the facility.
In the span of a week, with medical attention, Lulu has seen her wounds heal and her condition greatly improve. She went from being hand-fed to actively eating mackerel on her own, gaining weight from 8.9 to 9.7 kg.
A Small Pup with Big Spirit
Lulu may be the tiniest grey seal pup at the sanctuary, but she is determined like no other. Her intense cries indicate that she is eating a lot and is getting better.
The sanctuary, equipped with underfloor heating and a new heat pump, has kept her warm amidst the cold, aiding her speedy recovery.
Understanding Gray Seal Pups
Gray seal pups like Lulu are born with fluffy white fur known as lanugo, which they molt as they grow. These pups rely on their mothers for the first few weeks of life, after which they are usually left to fend for themselves.
Seal pups must quickly learn vital skills like hunting, as their survival depends on it. Lulu’s ability to now feed herself is a milestone in her development and an important step towards her eventual release back into the wild.
Conservation and Challenges
Lulu’s journey isn’t just about her survival. It’s about shining a light on the life of gray seal pups, which are a protected species in many countries due to past threats from hunting and habitat loss.
Conservation efforts have helped their numbers grow, but they still face challenges from pollution, climate change, and human disturbances.
Cheering On Lulu
Lulu’s remarkable recovery story has the potential to inspire and motivate. It’s a powerful example of how timely intervention and compassionate care can turn a life around, even for our smallest sea friends.
But her journey back to health isn’t just the sanctuary’s story—it’s a cause we can all be a part of.
