Seal Pups Thrive on New Bottle-Feeding Technique

An animal rescue charity in Scotland has pioneered a novel bottle-feeding technique to improve the recovery and release of grey seal pups. This innovative method, currently in its early stages, offers a more positive and less stressful feeding experience for vulnerable pups than existing tube-feeding practices.

The charity's National Wildlife Rescue Centre typically admits around 90 grey seal pups annually between October and March. A significant rise in admissions is attributed to increased human interference, including disturbance of mothers and abandonment caused by public contact. Dog attacks and premature births resulting from disturbances also contribute to the growing influx.

Wildlife experts are transitioning from a purely fish-based diet to a mixture of fish and milk, though replicating the high-fat content of natural seal milk remains a challenge. The new bottle-feeding approach, while requiring more time and attention, mimics natural feeding behaviors and shows early promise in aiding the rehabilitation of these rescued animals.