Hopper arrived on 13th October 2010
A few days before the rescue of this pup, we had received several calls about a seal on a beach just around the corner from Portreath. Due to the location of the beach it was a very steep climb down and the pup, spotting people, would always disappear into the water. The pup had been report with injuries and looking malnourished, and spending lots of time sleeping, it also had its white coat and no sign of mum, he would need to come in to the Sanctuary if we were able to catch him.

With six pups in the hospital Dave Jarvis of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) was called to monitor the pup and if an opportunity presented to catch the pup, Dave and his team were on standby.    Photo right by Sue Sayer of the Cornwall Seal Group.
Hopper - photo taken by Sue Sayer
Luckily for the pup a few hours later an opportunity became a available and Dave´s team managed to get the pup, a quick retreat up the cliff and a short drive to Gweek, the pup was safely put into isolation pen number 3, where the Animal Care Team could start a full clinical assessment and start him on a course of treatment.
Hopper in the hospital - This little boy has now been called Hopper, weighed in at only 14 kilos, had grazes and puncture wounds to his flippers but also has a loose tooth, which could possible have contributed to his malnourishment.

Hopper has had an appointment with our vet and had x-rays taken of the jaw to see if we will need to extract the tooth.
Update: 4th November 2010 - Hopper as you might remember had a few problems with his mouth when he arrived at the Sanctuary. Our vet being kept busy treating these pups, Hopper also needed surgery to remove the teeth that were giving him problems. Our vet removed two incisors and one premolar. Hopper is slowly recovering and is now being fed on whole fish.

Update: 13th November 2010 - As you can see from the photo right, Hopper has finally moulted, receiving water in his hospital pen, and learning to eat fish in water.
Hopper in the hospital -
Hopper - 29th December 2010 Update: 28th November 2010 - Hopper is now in nursery pool 1 with Billy and Woody #2. He is doing really well and learning to compete for fish with the other seal pups.    Hopper's flipper tag number is 008 (white).

Update: 1st January 2011 - Photo left of Hopper was taken in the nursery pool on 29th December 2010, he currently weighs 23kg.     Click here to see further photos.
Update: 8th February 2011 - Hopper currently weighs 22 kilos and is in nursery pool 1 with Gypsy.

Update: 4th March 2011 - Hopper is now in the Convalescent Pool after putting on lots of weight.

Update: 10th April 2011 - Hopper along with Dash, Splash and Petunia were released back into the wild on 7th April 2011.
Seal Release
Help Us to Help Them.....Each pup can cost up to £1,000 to rehabilitate, if you would like to adopt a pup
or make a donation towards a pup's rehabilitation, please click here
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