Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary A seal rescue story in pictures home  about us    wildlife rescues    coming events   contact us

Bertha was a young seal who was found hauled out on the slipway at Whalsay. She was put back in the sea but hauled out again and showed signs of distress. The pictures show her rescue from getting the ferry to Whalsay to fetch her, through to her return to the sea at Hillswick.
 

Boarding ferry for        Whalsay

Arrival at Whalsay

Baby seal safely inside fish boxes for the journey to Hillswick

Jan prepares to open the box, talking to the seal as she works

A scared seal in sudden bright light

Curiosity overcomes fear and the seal looks out!!

The seal is named Bertha and put in a tank

Jan prepares feed for Bertha

Initially Bertha is fed a rich feed by tube

Bertha begins to gain strength and has water in her tank

Day by day Bertha grows

Bertha is beginning to feel restless. The sea is calling!

Time now?

Ron from the SSPCA and Pete lift the tank out

Nearly there, Ron and Pete wait for their photo shot!

A little reluctance to leave at first, the sea is cold!

Getting used to the wild again

Goodbye Bertha and good luck!

Bertha was released back into the wild as have so many seals before her.  This is a poignant moment for Jan, Pete and their helpers. Exciting to know another seal has a second chance of survival, but sad to say goodbye.

 We are a Scottish Charity - SC 020979       Website Design and Production by Spindrift Crafts             Copyright Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary