On Sunday the 13th of December our two common seal pups Freddy and Jules were finally released back into the wild.
They were ready to go around a fortnight ago but due to bad weather we had to wait for the right conditions. They were both looking fat and healthy with freddy finally hitting the 30 kilo release weight after a period when she lost several kilo due to us only being able to get large fish that she decided she didnt want, so she wouldnt eat them and only started picking up once we got her old favourites back. Fussy girl, thats Freddy for sure.Meanwhile Jules was up to 35 kilo as while she was held back for Freddy she just kept eating and eating.
Both pups made the trip down to our usual common release area on the Cromarty, arriving around 2 pm. Heather and I were joined by local medic, daily hospital volunteer and friend Tracey Myers with her two sons Elliot and Kyle and also our good friend, photographer, WDCS and BDMLR man and all round good guy Charlie Phillips. (the great pics on this post are his and the not so great are ours :)
Both pups were taken to the shore and as usual with a release , the tide was way out, so it was a long walk carrying the two fat pups, and with boxs opened and allowed to come out at their own pace. Freddy was into the water reasonably quickly while Jules wasnt quite sure. After a bit of coaxing and a last goodbye of she went. By this time Freddy was already out into the deeper channel in the middle jumping and diving, generally exploring and getting her bearings. Jules soon had the idea and was out in the deeper water exploring and was last seen porpoising out near the middle heading towards some pups further to the east.
They both seemed happy with their new surroundings and with a large population of commons in this area they should find some company within a very short space of time.
After being with them everyday for almost 6 months, people say it must be sad to see them go. Not sad I say, but happy, this is where they belong, not in a pool, so its good to see them go and especially see them happy so quickly. For sure I worry for them and I will miss them, but this is where they should be. We gave them a second chance and now its up to them.
We wish them all the best for a long and fruitful life.
See ya girls it was a pleasure knowing you!
Jamie
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