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RARE SEALS USUALLY found on the drifting ice of the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic were spotted in west Cork waters this week.
An adult male Hooded Seal (Cystophora cristata) was seen in Schull, Cork, and a young ringed seal pup was spotted in Glenbeigh, Kerry.
They would often be sighted off the coast of Greenland which is likely where these two have originated, according to Seal Rescue Ireland (SRI)
The large adult male Hooded seal was healthy and measured over two metres in length and appeared to weigh over 300kg.
First spotted on 1st January, volunteers kept an eye on him, ensuring he wasn’t bothered by people, and he then returned to the water on the afternoon of 2nd January.
A spokeswoman for SRI said: “This young ringed seal pup was found on 2nd January and was estimated to be between only 3 – 4 weeks old as it still had a partially moulted lanugo coat (white fur) which means it was not fully weaned yet and had been separated from its mum prematurely.
“The pup was alert and feisty but was under its ideal weight for its age. Unfortunately, before a rescue attempt could be carried out the pup slipped back into the water and swam away. We can only hope that it is able to fend well enough for itself, or that it might show up elsewhere and be reported to us again.
“Two arctic species turning up over a matter of days does raise questions as to why. It’s not completely unheard of for rare seals to visit our waters, with at least five cases now of Hooded seals, and other sightings over the years of Bearded seals and even Walrus.
“There have been no recorded sightings of ringed seals here to our knowledge until this little one yesterday, though they are occasionally seen in Scotland so it’s highly likely they could visit us here too and slip under the radar.”
Can’t help but sing Whiskey in the Jar in my head while reading this headline.
@Chief Buck Cat: You’ve me at it now ha ha
@Fergus Murphy: Seals are not to be trusted.
@Chief Buck Cat: Not sure how true it is, but apparently the original words of that song was Kilmoganny Mountains. Kinda makes sense are there is no such thing as Cork and Kerry Mountains.
@John Travers: “As I was going over, the Cork and Kerry mountains, I met with Captain Farrell…” Cork & Kerry mountains, AKA The County Bounds.
@Chief Buck Cat: anniversary of Phil today ..
Shane Ross straight down for a photo and claimed proof Bord Failte doing a great job.
What next Polar Bears in Kerry…..
@iComment: There would be if the Healy Raes had their way.
@Peter Dowling: the Healy Rae’s would have the army shooting at them from the Skellig islands based on how they wanted the rhododendrons dealt with
@iComment: It’s Baltic in the Arctic. The lads and lassies probably just came south for a bit of sun over the holiday period.
I found a seal pup near Schull in Cork today. Stayed with it for a few hours on a secluded beach to make sure it was ok and have contacted Seal Rescue Ireland with location, they hope to rescue in the morning. I’ll be back to check on it in the morning, not sure if it’s the same pup but you’ll find pics and vids on my Instagram @AJmakeup http://www.instagram.com/AJmakeup
@✨AJmakeup✨: What is the craic with these accounts these days??
@✨AJmakeup✨: didnt see a seal but nice pics anyway lol
@✨AJmakeup✨: Does Anna know that you’re on here?
@✨AJmakeup✨: I like what you did with the seals dark eye shadow. You have worked wonders! The blusher is so last season though.
@Christopher Millar: Did you seal the deal?
@Colm Ducker: I’m not sure what this means but sorry I should have clarified, the pictures are on my Instagram stories. Not my Instagram feed. I contacted Seal Rescue Ireland who tried to rescue this eve but it was too dark, so they have asked me to check on it tomorrow which I will. I was sent a link to this article so commented as it may be of interest.
@Christopher Millar: Sorry I should have clarified, the pictures are on my Instagram stories. Not my Instagram feed. Seal Rescue Ireland hope to rescue tomorrow as it was getting too dark for someone to come out, I’ll check on it again tomorrow but hopefully it will be ok.
@✨AJmakeup✨: Well done you. Good deed for the new year. Great that you took notice that it was distressed.
@Logan Shepherd: Seal Rescue Ireland were great! Contacted me back almost straight away and kept in contact, pity they couldn’t come out tonight but hopefully tomorrow! Stayed with it until it was comfortable and fell asleep so fingers crossed a good outcome!
@✨AJmakeup✨: You’re one of the good ones. Please ignore my earlier comments. Anna likes to share pics here and I thought you were doing the same. My bad .. I should have known better .. my young one is a mua.
@Logan Shepherd: No problem. Have checked in on him again this morning and still there, have contacted Seal Rescue Ireland and they hope to get someone to him asap.
I think now if I was a seal and I had to choose between being rescued by some well meaning local and fending for myself I would choose fending for myself every time. If the seal doesn’t survive that is nature. What are you going to do with a rescued seal? Bring it home and feed it Whiskas?
@Sean: cop on these people are experts at what they do and saved many seals and returned them to the wild once they were healthy enough!!!
@Jill Elliott: the seal was able to slip back into the water she swim away. That sounds healthy to me.
That’s because it’s always freezing in ballybunion
We would prefer All Irelands..
Poor fellas… Cork…
Lucky seal pup.
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