Tara Seal Research, which last year reported the deaths of all 21 young seals it was monitoring, applied for funding from Northumbrian Water to set up a dedicated facility for the pups at Seal Sands in Hartlepool.
Dr Sue Wilson, from the team, said environmental and wildlife groups in Teesside need to come together quickly as pup strandings are expected in the next “two to three weeks”.
She said: “We have spent a year trying to arrange a temporary seal pup hospital but have been blocked at every turn by people and organisations who profess to care about seal pup conservation and welfare. From experience of the past few years we anticipate Tees estuary harbour seal pups, severely undersized and with mouth rot, to start stranding along the coast from late July.”
Dr Wilson added: “This year, as in previous years, there is no Teesside hospital facility to look after them while they receive specialist vet treatment.”
The Tara group requires roughly £10,000 to set up a temporary seal hospital and provide rehabilitative care for pups this summer.
Hartlepool’s MP Jonathan Brash has encouraged a temporary facility to be prepared to protect the seals this summer.
Fellow Teesside MPs have also called on environmental groups in the area to “come together” to find a solution so seals can access specialist care and rehabilitation this summer.
They say they are “deeply saddened” by the pup deaths last year and are disappointed to hear a dedicated facility will not be in place this summer.
Author: Ian
Reporter and author of Pop Life, covering all things news, music and local events.