#MarineWildlife - Islanders’ attempts to rescue a seal pup stranded on Achill in Co Mayo recently were sadly not successful.
But the incident has galvanised a local group set up amid growing concerns over marine wildlife strandings, who will train with a team from Seal Rescue Ireland in January on potential lifesaving measures, as the Mayo News reports.
“We’re getting these trainers down just so people know what to do in these situations,” said Achill resident Sorsha Kennedy. “It’s okay for them to be on the shore, they may just be resting, but people don’t know that.”
Kennedy was part of a group that attempted to rescue a baby seal washed up on rocks at Keel Beach in late November.
The pup unfortunately died in transit to Seal Rescue Ireland’s base across the country in Courtown.
“It’s a terribly long stressful journey for an animal already in distress,“ said John Nikolai, who discovered the seal while walking his dog. “It’s such a pity there isn’t another sanctuary closer in the west.”
The Mayo News has more on the story, while Afloat.ie reported recently on other seal rescue efforts around the Irish coast.