On March 22, at about 2 p.m. Li Yifan and Sha Yali found a sickly spotted seal on the beach of Xianren Island in Yingkou City. The spotted seal is suspected to have an eye infection and has abnormal left hind fin-foot posture, which prevents it from moving on rocks. The caring people contacted the local police and China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF)’s China Conservation Area for Spotted Seals at Yingkou (CCAfa) director Zhang Wenjun. While Director Zheng was on the spot, he communicated with CBCGDF and Dr. Sara Platto, an international expert on Spotted Seals and Animal Welfare through the Internet to convey the rescue situation of the spotted seal.
Dr. Sara learned about the status of the injured seals from photos and videos. She pointed out that the spotted seal was seriously injured and in critical condition. The immediate veterinary treatment and blood samples for testing were very much in need at that time. However, due to the local conditions, veterinarians with relevant experience can’t be found for the time being. Director Zheng contacted experts of Liaoning Marine Fisheries Research Institute (hereinafter referred to as "Academy of Marine Sciences"). While waiting for experts, in order to prevent the spotted seal from dehydrating, Director Zheng sprayed a small amount of fresh water into the mouth of the spotted seal. About an hour later, the spotted seal was successfully handed over to experts from the Academy of Marine Sciences.
According to the information tracked by the CBCGDF later, the Academy of Marine Sciences said that the spotted seal was seriously injured and died the next day (March 23) of the rescue at the Academy of Marine Sciences.
The failure of this rescue has sounded an alarm for the CBCGDF and all those concerned about wildlife rescue. We must speed up the establishment of a wildlife rescue system and carry out volunteer rescue training so that first-line volunteers can make simple rescue when they find injured animals and gain time for veterinarians and experts to come.
(Photo credit: CBCGDF)
Origina Chinese article:
http://www.cbcgdf.org/NewsShow/4854/8103.html
By / Li Xue Modified / Niu Jingmei