AssetID: 55564079
Headline: A Sweet Spring treat: Rescued seal pups named after desserts return to the wild
Caption: BY MARK WORGAN After a winter of rehabilitation, nine seal pups with some rather sweet names have been returned to the wild in Cornwall. After weeks of relentless rain and storms, last week, Jelly, Fika, Panettone, Panacotta, Mochi, Cheesecake, Sierra, Roulade, and Christmas Pudding, finally went home after months of care at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary. The recent break in the weather has allowed the sanctuary team to safely return these resilient pups to the sea. Some of these pups came to the sanctuary as a direct result of storms, with seals suffering from injuries or exhaustion caused by the harsh conditions. Among the pups were Christmas Pudding, who was rescued by the sanctuary team after being discovered in a local garden on Boxing Day, exhausted and with wounds to his nose and jaw. Under the dedicated care of the sanctuary team, he made remarkable progress before being given a second chance at life in the wild. Equally remarkable is the story of Cheesecake, whose journey to recovery was one of the most challenging of the group. Found tangled in fishing netting on New Year's Eve, his case serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing threats facing marine life, and of the critical role the sanctuary plays in rescue and rehabilitation. For the Sanctuary’s Animal Care team, moments like these make everything worthwhile. "Taking a pup from rescue all the way through to release is one of the most rewarding things we do," said Animal Care Specialist, Ben Haden. "It reminds us exactly why we're here. In an ideal world, these pups wouldn't need us, but when they do, we'll always be ready." Several of this season's pups were first responded to by British Divers Marine Life Rescue's (BDMLR) dedicated network of volunteers, who assist with rescues, and provide vital care for the animals in the critical days before they arrive at the sanctuary. Sanctuary staff also praised the generosity of those who donate to and visit the sanctuary, as their contributions allow the funding of the baby seals’ care. With 11 pups still in the sanctuary's care, the pup season is far from over, and can be met in the flesh, or blubber, over Easter.
Keywords: seals,animals,nature,feature,photo,video,cake,pudding,dessert
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