Community rallies to rescue stranded seal pup on Bettystown Beach

A heartwarming community effort in Bettystown has helped save a vulnerable grey seal pup after local residents rallied together to ensure the youngster was safely transferred into the care of Seal Rescue Ireland.

The young male seal, believed to be just one to two weeks old, was discovered near Bettystown Library early last Friday morning, 9th October, by a man walking his dog along the beach.

Weighing just 13.4kg, approximately the weight of a newborn grey seal pup, the youngster was severely underweight for his estimated age and had a small wound.

What followed was a remarkable display of community spirit, as concerned locals worked together to protect the pup and organise his rescue.

Local resident Lorraine Brady, who was among those involved, described how people came together to ensure the seal was not left unattended while arrangements were made to get him to safety.

Residents took turns keeping watch over the youngster, with people swapping shifts and remaining nearby until transport could be organised.

"There was great community spirit," said Lorraine, who explained that a number of people stayed with the seal throughout the rescue effort.

According to Meath County Council, the man who initially discovered the pup remained at a safe distance for more than three hours while contacting Seal Rescue Ireland and other agencies for advice.

When Bettystown Library opened, Executive Librarian Aoife Carberry was alerted to the situation and contacted the Beach Wardens. She also helped concerned residents cordon off an area around the seal to protect him from disturbance.

Seal Rescue Ireland volunteer Susan Honan subsequently attended the scene to assess the pup, who was visibly underweight and in distress.

Beach Warden Des O'Hanlon provided protective gloves and sanitiser to those assisting, while local swimmers helped source a suitable container in which the seal could be transported.

A family walking on the beach volunteered to bring the pup to Wicklow, where another volunteer met them and completed the journey to Seal Rescue Ireland's rehabilitation centre in Courtown Harbour, Co Wexford.

The rescue has also prompted Lorraine to consider how the community could be better prepared should another seal require assistance along the Bettystown coastline.

She has been speaking with a local business about the possibility of establishing a collection box to raise funds for suitable transport containers that could be kept locally and made available when needed.

Lorraine has also been in contact with a Seal Rescue Ireland volunteer based in Clogherhead who attended the rescue, about the possibility of organising an educational talk on seals at Bettystown Library.

The aim would be to help local people learn more about the animals that frequent the coastline and what to do if they encounter a seal that appears to be in difficulty.

Meanwhile, there has been encouraging news about the little seal at the centre of the rescue.

Identified as Q-045 by Seal Rescue Ireland, the pup was described as extremely tired when he arrived for treatment.

He was due to receive fluids and nutritional supplements to help him regain strength and put on weight.

Meath County Council has since confirmed that the youngster is recovering well, has already gained some weight and remains under close observation.

He has also begun attending what rescuers affectionately call "fish school", an important part of preparing young seals to feed independently before eventually returning to the wild.

And now the little visitor needs a name.

Meath County Council has invited members of the public to suggest names for the pup, preferably with a Meath or Bettystown connection.

Suggestions can be submitted in the comments section of the council's Facebook post, with the final choice to be made by the team at Seal Rescue Ireland.

For the residents who helped him, the youngster's progress is a welcome reward for a rescue effort that brought the community together.

Members of the public who encounter a seal in distress are advised to keep their distance, keep dogs away and contact Seal Rescue Ireland for guidance rather than attempting to handle or move the animal themselves.

Click here for more info on Seal Rescue Ireland.