A starving seal pup called S’mores has stolen people’s hearts after it was rescued from the beach.
She was found weak and covered in wounds on a Cornish beach.
Now, though, after becoming the first rescue of the season, she’s on the mend.
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S’mores was hauled to safety from Crackington Haven, near Bude, by marine life volunteers, reports Need To Know.
Believed to be just four to five weeks old, she was dangerously underweight and injured when she arrived at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary.
After a spell in isolation, the pup is now strong enough to be seen in the hospital’s public pens – and she’s already proving a hit with visitors.
Sadly, another tiny pup, Banoffee, was rescued just days earlier with suspected septicaemia and didn’t survive – showing just how tough life can be for wild seals.
Megan Gunnell, senior animal care specialist, said, “Seal pup season can be full of highs and lows.
“Although it’s always heartbreaking when a pup doesn’t make it, each rescue gives us a chance to help many more pups like S’mores.
“We’re so pleased with how S’mores is doing. She came in very weak and underweight, but she’s showing real determination; she has already started to feed herself, which is a great sign.
“It’s still early days for her, so the best way the public can help is by keeping noise to a minimum when visiting, giving her the calm space she needs to grow stronger before she can return to the wild.”
Sanctuary bosses say it costs around £2,000 to rescue, treat and release a single pup.
Rising food and medicine bills mean this season is set to be one of the most challenging yet – and every donation and visit counts.
Between September and March, dozens of vulnerable pups are brought in needing expert care before they can return to the sea.
With S’mores leading the way, staff are braced for a busy few months.
Visitors can catch a glimpse of S’mores in her pen – but are urged to keep quiet so she can recover in peace.
The Sanctuary is also reminding the public what to do if they spot a pup on the beach, advising people to stay back, keep dogs on leads, never touch and call the BDMLR hotline.
Jasmine Chater, fundraising co-ordinator at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, said: “Every visit and donation to our Sanctuary really does make a huge difference.
“With rising costs of food, medicines and supplies, pup season is becoming increasingly challenging.
“Our supporters mean the world to us; without them, we simply couldn’t give pups like S’mores the second chance they deserve.”
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