A young grey seal pup named Rocky recently made history as the first animal to be flown into South Essex Wildlife Hospital. Found in a weak and underweight state by British Divers Marine Life Rescue on the Channel Islands in Jersey, Rocky was in desperate need of help. Due to the nearest seal rehabilitation center in Guernsey being closed for refurbishment, a community of animal welfare organizations came together to transport Rocky nearly 300 miles to the Orsett wildlife hospital.
Rocky’s arrival at Southend Airport on a private jet provided by the London Southend Jet Centre marked a special moment for the hospital. Upon arrival, Rocky was greeted by the hospital’s staff and immediately taken for treatment. Sue Schwar, the founder of South Essex Wildlife Hospital, described Rocky as being in a miserable state, exhausted, emaciated, and suffering from an ulcer in one eye. However, with dedicated care from the hospital’s seal team, Rocky is already showing signs of improvement.
Despite his challenging start, Rocky is expected to make a full recovery in the coming months and hopefully be released back into the wild. His story serves as a memorable beginning to the hospital’s winter seal season, with more seals in need expected to arrive in the coming months. South Essex Wildlife Hospital, founded in the 1990s, has become a vital resource for injured and sick animals in the area, seeing thousands of animals each year.
The dedication of founder Sue Schwar and lead vet Tom Linsel, who live on-site to provide round-the-clock care, highlights the importance of the hospital in the local community. As the hospital continues to grow and expand its services, stories like Rocky’s serve as a reminder of the incredible work being done to help animals in need. The unique journey of Rocky, arriving on a private jet for life-saving treatment, showcases the power of collaboration and compassion in the world of animal welfare.