Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Bye Bye Ronnie and Paddy
Today is the day that we must bid farewell to Ronnie and Paddy. I have written of Ronnie before and of her charming temperament. She came to us a few months ago and has had a difficult time learning to fend for herself. At last we feel she is ready to go it alone. Paddy will go with her. Paddy has also been with us for quite some time. He has been gaining wait steadily and has a great spirit. I wish the two of them all the luck in the world. Good luck guys! x
Monday, October 20, 2008
Saturday's News
Saturday was an extremely busy day as myself, Laura and Heather had a lot of things to do. Most importantly we had to keep a close eye on Hermione as she is very unwell. She was shaking and finding it increasingly difficult to breathe. We wrapped her up and put her in her bed with a heat lamp. I hope she will make it through. Lynn, the animal manager, is taking her to UCD today to have her examined at the veterinary department.
On a lighter note... we have a new resident who we've named Dewey. He is very cheeky and impossible to approach. He seems to be in a perpetual bad mood. One of his back flippers is swollen so we will have to see what the vet says about that-if he can get close enough to examine him!
Mac and Mushroom were released in Cork on Saturday so good luck boys! Let's hope you have a long and happy life in the wild.
Arin is recovering from his surgery where he had a digit removed. Saturday was the first day he was allowed in the pool in 10 days and he was delighted. He spent all day swimming and playing, chasing his back flippers and performing tumbles.
All of our other residents are in reasonably good form. Silver has been put into Lock Emma with Benny and Paddy so fingers crossed they get on well.
Until next time,
Katie :-)
On a lighter note... we have a new resident who we've named Dewey. He is very cheeky and impossible to approach. He seems to be in a perpetual bad mood. One of his back flippers is swollen so we will have to see what the vet says about that-if he can get close enough to examine him!
Mac and Mushroom were released in Cork on Saturday so good luck boys! Let's hope you have a long and happy life in the wild.
Arin is recovering from his surgery where he had a digit removed. Saturday was the first day he was allowed in the pool in 10 days and he was delighted. He spent all day swimming and playing, chasing his back flippers and performing tumbles.
All of our other residents are in reasonably good form. Silver has been put into Lock Emma with Benny and Paddy so fingers crossed they get on well.
Until next time,
Katie :-)
Monday, October 13, 2008
Meeting with Trevor Sargent
I had a meeting with Trevor Sargent (TD for the Green Party) on Friday night regarding the National Marine Centre. He was genuinely interested and committed to our cause. He recognises the obstacles which we face and is working really hard to tackle them. Not only are there funding problems but, given the economic climate, the people who previously tolerated the idea of the Centre's establishment are now opposing its establishment.
It is important to understand at the stage that Ireland needs a National Marine Centre-recession or no recession! We need it for educational purposes, to rehabilitate our seals and to initiate new conservation projects concerning other marine life including endangered species. Without the Marine Centre we are falling behind many other European countries in the environmental and conservation stakes.
Trevor understands all this and was due to have a meeting with the Board this morning. I will hopefully receive some feedback from him in the coming days and will update you all then.
Katie.
It is important to understand at the stage that Ireland needs a National Marine Centre-recession or no recession! We need it for educational purposes, to rehabilitate our seals and to initiate new conservation projects concerning other marine life including endangered species. Without the Marine Centre we are falling behind many other European countries in the environmental and conservation stakes.
Trevor understands all this and was due to have a meeting with the Board this morning. I will hopefully receive some feedback from him in the coming days and will update you all then.
Katie.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Katie and Kerry's Day
Hi,
So far today we have been very busy! We had to move Ronnie from the big pool back to the seal kennels as she was not eating as she usually does and we need to keep a close eye on her. Mango was then left in the pool on his own so... we decided to move Silver (a new Grey) up to the pool to keep him company. So far they are getting on like a house on fire!
Arin (a new grey) has recently had an operation to remove a digit on his right flipper so we are monitoring him closely as it looks very sore! Despite this he is still eating lots of fish! Fingers crossed he will make a full recovery.
Lyndsey (a really tiny Grey) has also been in the wars. She has a tuft of white hair on her back which really shows how young she is (probably about 2 and a half weeks). Lynn, the animal manager, cleaned wounds which were discovered on her lip and her tummy this morning. She is very curious though and her injuries don't seem to be bothering her that much-she is already trying to take whole fish on her own.
We have also been carrying out less exciting but no less important jobs such as cleaning up the leaves from the walk ways and cleaning the tree bog (an environmentally friendly toilet that pongs a bit)!
We have to go back to the seals now as they Greys are very noisy and demand 100% of our attention!
Write soon again,
Katie and Kerry
:-)
So far today we have been very busy! We had to move Ronnie from the big pool back to the seal kennels as she was not eating as she usually does and we need to keep a close eye on her. Mango was then left in the pool on his own so... we decided to move Silver (a new Grey) up to the pool to keep him company. So far they are getting on like a house on fire!
Arin (a new grey) has recently had an operation to remove a digit on his right flipper so we are monitoring him closely as it looks very sore! Despite this he is still eating lots of fish! Fingers crossed he will make a full recovery.
Lyndsey (a really tiny Grey) has also been in the wars. She has a tuft of white hair on her back which really shows how young she is (probably about 2 and a half weeks). Lynn, the animal manager, cleaned wounds which were discovered on her lip and her tummy this morning. She is very curious though and her injuries don't seem to be bothering her that much-she is already trying to take whole fish on her own.
We have also been carrying out less exciting but no less important jobs such as cleaning up the leaves from the walk ways and cleaning the tree bog (an environmentally friendly toilet that pongs a bit)!
We have to go back to the seals now as they Greys are very noisy and demand 100% of our attention!
Write soon again,
Katie and Kerry
:-)
Friday, October 10, 2008
Volunteers and the National Marine Centre
I am delighted that other volunteers are writing on the blog as I think it helps in explaining our situation at the sanctuary. We work in all kinds of weather and are committed to the protection of seals around our coasts.
As some of you are aware we were promised premises at the new Marine Centre in Balbriggan. However the construction has been put on hold and we are experiencing difficulties in asserting when exactly the Centre will be going ahead. I have a meeting with a local politician this evening so I hope to gather some information.
I'll keep you posted!
Katie.
As some of you are aware we were promised premises at the new Marine Centre in Balbriggan. However the construction has been put on hold and we are experiencing difficulties in asserting when exactly the Centre will be going ahead. I have a meeting with a local politician this evening so I hope to gather some information.
I'll keep you posted!
Katie.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Our Residents: Ronnie
We have many seals out at the sanctuary, both Greys and Commons. Each and every one is different and special in their own way. Of course everyone has their own personal favourites. The seal which I have to admit is my favourite is Ronnie. Although I feel I should emphasise the fact that I provide each seal with the same attention and care and we do have a policy of minimum interaction with humans for the sake of the seals.
Anyway...back to Ronnie. Ronnie arrived during the summer (about the same time as Mushroom-another one of our residents). Ronnie's arrival brought a smile to my face as, unlike most of the other seals, she was far from underweight and had an excellent appetite. Even at this early stage though we realised that Ronnie was a little bit 'different'. If one examines Ronnie closely one notices that her head appears quite different from that of the rest of the Common Seals. For a while we wondered what exactly was wrong with our new arrival.
Eventually, after much pondering, we noticed that it was Ronnie's eyes that were giving her trouble. We still don't know what exactly the problem is but we suspect that Ronnie is partially blind. Despite this Ronnie lives a very satisfying life. She has gained weight steadily, is very curious and interacts well with the other seals.
As seals use their whiskers in the water to locate their food, Ronnie's condition does not pose a significant problem and she will be released back into the wild just like her other friends here at the sanctuary. I will try my best over the coming days to add some photos of my little friend Ronnie. I'm sure you will find her just as delightful and endearing as I do.
Katie.
Anyway...back to Ronnie. Ronnie arrived during the summer (about the same time as Mushroom-another one of our residents). Ronnie's arrival brought a smile to my face as, unlike most of the other seals, she was far from underweight and had an excellent appetite. Even at this early stage though we realised that Ronnie was a little bit 'different'. If one examines Ronnie closely one notices that her head appears quite different from that of the rest of the Common Seals. For a while we wondered what exactly was wrong with our new arrival.
Eventually, after much pondering, we noticed that it was Ronnie's eyes that were giving her trouble. We still don't know what exactly the problem is but we suspect that Ronnie is partially blind. Despite this Ronnie lives a very satisfying life. She has gained weight steadily, is very curious and interacts well with the other seals.
As seals use their whiskers in the water to locate their food, Ronnie's condition does not pose a significant problem and she will be released back into the wild just like her other friends here at the sanctuary. I will try my best over the coming days to add some photos of my little friend Ronnie. I'm sure you will find her just as delightful and endearing as I do.
Katie.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Irish Seal Sanctuary
Hi Everybody!
This is the first post of the Irish Seal Sanctuary Blog. We are based in Garristown, Co. Dublin and work to protect marine wildlife (especially seals!) around our coast. We rehabilitate injured and orphaned seals and undertake fund raising and educational activities to raise awareness of their plight. We receive no government funding and the sanctuary is run by people who contribute their time voluntarily. The sanctuary was founded by Brendan Price who works tirelessly to promote the conservation of marine wildlife and biodiversity. To learn more about the work of the sanctuary visit our website at www.irishsealsanctuary.ie.
More to follow...
Katie.
This is the first post of the Irish Seal Sanctuary Blog. We are based in Garristown, Co. Dublin and work to protect marine wildlife (especially seals!) around our coast. We rehabilitate injured and orphaned seals and undertake fund raising and educational activities to raise awareness of their plight. We receive no government funding and the sanctuary is run by people who contribute their time voluntarily. The sanctuary was founded by Brendan Price who works tirelessly to promote the conservation of marine wildlife and biodiversity. To learn more about the work of the sanctuary visit our website at www.irishsealsanctuary.ie.
More to follow...
Katie.
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