There are different Marine Mammal Rehabilitation Centres around the world that admit seals for rehabilitation. The patients are predominantly motherless pups, which would
perish on their own; but also traumatized adult animals, which are injured due to being
caught up in fishing nets or other human interference.
Dealing with animals, especially wildlife and their various problems makes every day a special day in a Vet’s working life.
This presentation is aimed to reflect the every day work in a rehabilitation centre for seals and general wildlife and the extraordinary situations we are faced with on a daily basis. It also explains why the rehabilitation of wildlife has become a necessity. It shows the treatments available to weak, dehydrated or injured animals or those that suffer from infections. Finally, it depicts individual steps of care, which are applied in pursuit of our ultimate goal, the animal’s health and release into its natural habitat.
Over the past five to four years, an increasing number of North Sea seals have been found suffering from lungworm infections, especially those in the tidal areas. The infection is predominantly affecting Common Seals, but it is quickly spreading to Grey Seals also. Lungworm infections are quite common in wildlife, but the number of severely infected animals has never been as great as it is at present. Two main species of worms, small and large, have been separated and identified as: Ostrongylus circumlitus and parafilaroides gymnurus. This is a very serious and highly dangerous infection, which could have a devastating effect on the complete population of seals. Studies in Great Britain have revealed that even seals with a healthy weight have a very sensitive and delicate immune system. So far, research has not revealed any definite results of the cause for the sudden increase and intensity of this type of infection. The experts are, however, certain that the reasons are due to human intervention and the disturbance our modern way of life causes to the wildlife and their habitats. Overfishing, global warming, pollution of the seas and the environment – it all takes its toll.
Therefore, the rehabilitation of wildlife is an absolute necessity today and sadly, will most probably become ever more important in the future. This presentation is designed to provide you with an overview of a complete rehabilitation programme, from applying First Aid, treatment and recovery right through to the release of the animal into its natural habitat.
Topics: Social-ecological systems as a framework for conservation management , Topics: Natural Resource and Conservation Stakeholders: Managing Expectations and Engageme
