Seal rescued in Jersey becomes the firs to arrive in the UK by private plane

A seal that was rescued in Jersey has become the first ever to be flown to the UK after he arrived in Southend by private plane.

Rocky was rescued by the British Divers Marine Life Rescue at Bonne Nuit harbour in Jersey after they found him 'exhausted, emaciated and suffering from an ulcer on one eye'.

Jersey doesn't have a rehabilitation centre and the closest one in Guernsey is closed for refurbishment. The BDML then got in touch with the South Essex Wildlife Hospital and asked if they could help.

After this, Rocky made the almost 300 mile journey to Essex on Saturday morning.

It comes as Channel Islanders have been given advice on what to do if they spot a seal pup this season, with the message being keep dogs and children under control and call the GSPCA in Guernsey or JSPCA in Jersey as soon as they can.

Lawrie Brailey, Operations Manager at South Essex Wildlife Hospital said: "It’s not often that a seal gets to fly and we were a little worried about how he would react but, luckily, he took it like a champ and was perfectly calm for the whole flight!

"Now in the care of the South Essex Wildlife Hospital team, he has been given a full veterinary assessment before being moved into one of our pens.

"With Tom (lead vet) providing a treatment plan, our trained ‘seal team’ are now hard at work keeping him well fed whilst slowly teaching him how to eat and hunt for himself. It will take a little while until he is ready for release, but we are very much looking forward to seeing him get a second chance!"

It comes as Channel Islanders have been given advice on what to do if they spot a seal pup this season, with the message being keep dogs and children under control and call the GSPCA in Guernsey or JSPCA in Jersey as soon as they can.

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