Loganair flies to aid of baby seal

A two-week-old seal has taken to the skies, after Loganair received an unusual passenger request for an abandoned pup to be flown to Glasgow.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Jun 2018, 14:21 BST
Updated 13th Jun 2018, 16:39 BST

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Loganair cabin crew member Elaine McWilliams gets the baby seal ready for her first flight.Loganair cabin crew member Elaine McWilliams gets the baby seal ready for her first flight.
Loganair cabin crew member Elaine McWilliams gets the baby seal ready for her first flight.

The young pup, less than a fortnight old, was rescued by local vet David Buckland on Eriskay, after occupants of a house overlooking Prince’s Beach found her.

The baby seal, accompanied by the vet from the Southern Isles Veterinary Practice, flew from Benbecula to Glasgow before travelling to the SSPCA National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Alloa.

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David had been taking care of the pup since June 1st by providing her with plenty of fluids, after finding her extremely malnourished and in serious need of care. It’s not known what happened to her mother.

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Once fit to fly, the pup was flown free of charge by Loganair to continue treatment from the team at the SSPCA centre.

The rescue centre is also the new home to a young male pup rescued from the Isle of Eigg, with both seals set to receive treatment together until they are ready to be released back into the wild.

NAME THE PUPS

Loganair has launched a competition on social media to name the pups, with the choices in line with SSPCA’s Disney/Pixar theme for 2018; Ariel and Eric, Nala and Simba or Dory and Marlin from the films The Little Mermaid, The Lion King and Finding Nemo.

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Loganair managing director Jonathan Hinkles said: “It was a pleasure to make arrangements to fly the baby seal pup to Glasgow, and make sure she was given first class service for her first time on board an aircraft. The Highlands and Islands is our heartland and we’re always glad to help where we can.”

Scottish SPCA Centre Manager Colin Seddon said: “We have received a young female harbour seal at our centre in Fishcross, who seems to be in reasonably good health. She was found on a beach in Eriskay and appeared to be dehydrated.

“Harbour seals are very vulnerable, and we will be keeping a close eye on her while she remains in our care.

“We also received a male harbour seal of around the same age from the Isle of Eigg. He has improved overnight but will require round the clock care over the coming days.

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“Having two pups in at the same time is great for socialisation and the pair will be reared together. When they are ready to go back into the wild we will be able to release them at a suitable location on the west coast together.”

Help choose the names of the young pups: HERE

Related topics:LoganairGlasgow