Two harbour seal pups will be released from Tracht beach near Kinvara this Sunday September 21.
Lucky and Jonesie, both had a very shaky starts with the two of them losing their mothers when they were new born. Jonesie, who was exceptionally tiny, still had his umbilical cord tied to him when he was found. Both pups made a speedy recovery and are now ready to go home.
Meeting at the beach will take place at 2.30pm and the two pups will then be released at 3pm, followed shortly afterwards by a talk on seals.
Harbour seals, unlike the grey seal, stay with their mother until weaned and will not survive if they are separated from her.
However, grey seal breeding has started and whitecoat pups may be encountered on beaches around the country. These pups are usually left on the beach and the mother supervises from the water between feeds.
The public have been asked not to touch these animals, as they may cause the mother to reject them or they may even get bitten.
If anyone is concerned about the welfare of a pup on the beach, call the Irish Seal Sanctuary for advice on (01 ) 8354370.
