Maggie Smith was rescued on 9th December 2023 Maggie Smith, an 8 weeks old female grey seal pup, was rescued from Porthgwidden in St Ives on the 9th of December 2023 by Chris, Phil and Sam, volunteer marine mammals medics of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR). Whilst Chris, a volunteer medic for BDMLR, was out on his early morning walk at Porthgwidden beach, hoping to spot the humpback whale that was seen the day before in St Ives bay.   Unfortunately Chris did not see the whale. However, fortunately he came across this little lady hauled out on the beach.   He contacted the local BDMLR area coordinator who arranged to send another volunteer medic along to support and assist him. Photo Credit : Chris Webber - BDMLR After Phil arrived, they carried out a full assessment of the pup, temperature was high at 38.3 degrees, weighed 17.4kg and a really severe wound to the back left flipper - outer claw, swollen with possible infection. The BDMLR´s area local coordinators arranged for a volunteer vet to check on the pup as well at the beach.   Once Sam arrived and she checked the pup, it was agreed to rescue and take the seal to the BDMLR´s seal hospital for treatment and care. Photo Credit : Alison Davey - BDMLR - 10th December 2023 Photo Credit : Lizzi Larbalestier - BDMLR - 12th December 2023 This pup was taken to the BDMLR´s seal hospital in Cornwall for initial treatment and care until a pen was available a few days later on 13th of December 2023 for her at the Sanctuary´s hospital at Gweek where she continues her rehabilitation journey. Update - 29th December 2023 : Maggie has recently passed away; it is always very sad when one of the rescued pups dies but sometimes these little ones just don´t have enough antibodies and strength in them to pull through, despite the best efforts of all the Sanctuary´s Animal Care Specialists.

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