Peppermint is one in 300 for seal lovers at Exploris

Peppermint is one in 300 for seal lovers at Exploris

30 January 2013

EXPLORIS Aquarium in Portaferry has released its 300th rescued seal pup back to the wild.

Peppermint, a young female grey seal had been cared for by the Exploris Rehabilitation Team since her rescue in Donegal in October.

Tania Singleton, the Seal Rehabilitation Officer at Exploris, said despite a feisty attitude, as an unweaned orphan, Peppermint would not have survived without intervention. “Luckily for her she was spotted by a member of the public who alerted a local vet.”

Now up to an ideal weight Peppermint has been released into Strangford Lough were she will either join the resident population or move further afield.

Prior to release, Exploris’ seal pups are weighed and micro-chipped. As Tania explained: “Before leaving Exploris we place a micro-chip under the surface of each seals skin to enable us to identify whether or not any reported dead seals were once temporary residents in the Seal Sanctuary.”

At a secret location on the shores of Strangford Lough, Tania watched for a while as Peppermint began her second chance of life in the wild. Then it was back to base to care for the remaining seal pups waiting their turn for release.

Helena Challinor, General Manager at Exploris said the aquarium has been rescuing and caring for seals here at Exploris since 1989. “Peppermint is our 300th seal to be released back to the wild and she is a testament to the dedication of the staff that care for our rescued seals,” she said.