Dublin Bay seal release

A grey seal pup was rescued in Dublin Bay next to the Great South Wall by Padraig O'Connor, a member of the Great Wall's Half Moon Swimming Club, on Monday December 3rd.

Known locally as the 'Harbour Master,' Padraig spotted the seal on the bay side of the wall, near the Pump House at the base of the massive sea defence. He immediately contacted the Irish Seal Sanctuary to take the pup into their care and as it is the sanctuary's custom to allow those who find injured seals to have the option of naming it, the Harbour Master chose to name the pup 'Padraig'.

The young seal was between three and four weeks old when rescued and was in the process of moulting his white coat. Young Padraig was clearly struggling to survive and was still just at a seal's normal birth weight of 15 kilos, with wounds on his back and flippers.

Thankfully, Padraig made a great and a speedy recovery under the care of the Irish Seal Sanctuary and was returned to Dublin Bay at the start of the Great South Wall, on Wednesday, January 16th.

The Irish Seal Sanctuary is Ireland's only full-time, 24- hour, professionally-run wildlife rescue/rehabilitation facility. It is sustained entirely by voluntary effort and donations from the public. Over the past 22 years they have seen a dramatic increase in the demand on their services. They currently deal with in excess of 1,000 telephone calls a year reporting injured or distressed seals, or marine related incidents.

For more details, contact John King 087 626 8111. The Irish Seal Sanctuary
An Clochan, Tobergregan,
Garristown Co. Dublin
+353 1 835 4370 or see www.irishsealsanctuary.ie.