RSPCA: Simmo the seal arrives at East Winch

Wednesday, 1 July 2009 12:00 AM

The RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre has received its first common seal pup of the year.

The pup was rescued from Terrington Marsh on Sunday 28 June. She was less than a week old when rescued and weighed almost 9kgs.

Staff at the centre have named the pup 'Simmo' after RSPCA animal collection officer Andy Simmonds paid £10 to name her. This is the first time that the centre has opened the chance to name seal pups to the public in return for a donation.

Simmo has arrived just in time for people to see her in the seal rehabilitation unit at the centre on the Open Day this Sunday - 5th July - when the centre is open to the public for the first time since 2007.

Wildlife centre manager Alison Charles said: "Simmo was so young her umbilical cord was still attached when she was rescued. We are hopeful she will make a good recovery and can eventually be released back into the sea. This is the start of the season for common seal pups, so over the next few weeks we will be receiving many more sick, injured and orphaned pups.

"For a donation, members of the public will be able to give the new common seal pups whatever name they choose, within reason!"

Come along to see Simmo and lots more at the Open Day at East Winch Wildlife Centre, Station Road, East Winch, King's Lynn this Sunday (5 July) from 10am. For more information please call the centre on 0300 123 0709.

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A photograph of Simmo the seal is available from the press office on 0300 123 0244.

RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS
Press office direct lines: 0300 123 0244/0288 Fax: 0303 123 0099
Duty press officer (evenings and weekends) Tel 0870 0555500 and ask for pager number 828825
Email: press@rspca.org.uk Website: www.rspca.org.uk

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