Pup survives stormy seas and high tides

It was a real shock to see a white coat pup on the main haul out beach. With very high tides and the stormiest sea we've had for some time, this young pup and its mother were going to have to use all their best instincts to survive. Small and vulnerable, the pup dragged itself up the boulders as successive sets of waves drenched the increasingly bedraggled pup. As the pup reached the back of the inlet, its mother followed keeping her body between the pup and the rising tide. As high tide passed, the pup was snoozing, despite looking very windswept.

High & dry (Far left) : Hit by rising tide (Mid left) : Exploring the cliff (Mid) : Skin folds yet to be filled with fat (Mid right) : Sleeping (Far right.)

The following day, the pup's coat had dried completely and looked beautiful. The pup became hungry, but its mother seemed determined to exercise her pup and to make it come to her. After several hours, despite searching, the pup had been unable to locate Mum, so she gave in and approached it for a feed, positioning her body in a suitable place for the pup to start feeding.

Posing cutely (Far left) : A vigilant Mum & lively pup (Mid left) : Sniffing each other in recognition : (Mid right) : A welcome feed (Far right.)

This weekend also saw British Divers Marine Life Rescue running a Marine Mammal Medic Course for a group of local volunteers at the CPR Learning Space. Talks were given by the Coordinators (Dave and Lisa), Vet Medic (Daryl) and Seal Group Medic (Sue.) The team then headed out to Carbis Bay for their afternoon practicals. A final highlight of the weekend was a sighting of Ermine - yellow hattie 49. Ermine was rescued from Weymouth and released from Port Gaverne on 27/05/05. and she has been spotted here 5 times since, on 20/06/05; 01/08/05; 17/08/05; 02/09/05 and now 01/10/05.

Marine Mammal Medics in training (Far left) : BDMLR Team of trainers (Mid left) : Stormy seas (Mid right) : Ermine at the haul out (Right.)