Rocky the rescued seal gets VIP treatment

The first animal ever to be flown into a wildlife hospital in Essex is recovering after being discovered exhausted and underweight in a harbour in Jersey.

Rocky the Seal was rescued by divers, and then travelled by private jet to Southend Airport on Saturday before being driven to the South Essex Wildlife Hospital in Orsett.

"It's the first and only time that an animal has been flown to us," said the hospital's operations manager Lawrie Brailey.

"Apparently it was right next to where Taylor Swift landed recently, so, yes, he was a bit of a VIP."

With the only seal facility on the Channel Islands closed for refurbishment, experts from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) charity asked the hospital if they could help.

"It was a bit of a surprise when we got the call, but the BDMLR had arranged everything, so we were able to drive right onto the tarmac and do the transfer right next to the plane," said Mr Brailey.

Donna De Gruchy, BDMLR co-ordinator for the Channel Islands, said they relied on volunteer pilots.

"We are also so grateful to the hospital. The relief when we find somewhere for our pups is huge. We can't thank them enough," she said.

Rocky landed at London Southend Jet Centre - which is where private planes land, close to London Southend Airport.

He was taken to the charity's hospital where he is being looked after by head vet Tom Linsel.

"He was really skinny and exhausted," he said.

"He was just asleep all day, but now he's perked up a bit. He's starting to be a bit naughty and I think he's on the right track."

Four-week-old grey seal pups should weigh between 3st 2lb and 3st 13lb (20kg and 25kg), but Rocky was just two stone (13kg) - the same weight as a newborn.

The species is found around the British coast. While the mothers of common seals wean their pups gradually, grey seals are effectively abandoned after about a month.

"It's quite sudden," added Mr Linsel.

"We don't know what happened here, but if the mum gets disturbed, it can be quite tough for the pup left behind.

"As to the future, there's a long way to go. He needs to fatten up and that could take two months."

One thing is for sure. Rocky will not need to be airlifted back to Jersey. When it comes to his release, Mr Linsel says they will keep it local.

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