This article is from page 106 of the 2008-02-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 106 JPG
A PROTECTED seal, that defied death, will be released back into the wild at Seafield Beach in Quilty this SUTer AA
Kringle was discovered on New Year’s Eve at Merchants Quay, Lim- erick, significantly under weight, dehydrated, with serious bite marks and a painful cracked tooth.
The grey seal pup, who is a protect- ed species, was to become part of a Munster wide rescue.
The four-week-old seal was discov- ered by a family waiting to attend the skating rink in the Potato, who con- tacted the LSPCA.
The little pup was then taken by the LSPCA to the vet, before being transported by the Limerick Animal Welfare (LAW) to Cork wildlife res- cuer Chelsea Collins.
Kringle was treated with fluids, an-
tibiotics and pain relief.
His wounds were most likely inflict- ed by an adult male seal (or “bull’’) in an attempt to force him away from his mother, who had probably come into season.
Kringle was cared for by Ms Col- lins in Carrigaline until he was well enough to be transferred to the Irish Seal Sanctuary in Dublin. Kringle has been recuperating at the seal sanctu- ary in recent weeks and regaining his strength on a diet of fresh fish. He has now made a complete recov- ery. The Irish Seal Sanctuary will be releasing Kringle into the sea at 3pm on Sunday at Seafield Beach near the village of Quilty. This will be a pub- lic event and all are welcome. Those who go to Quilty to see Kringle on his way are asked to keep all dogs in cars until he is safely at sea.