Rescue Profiles

Seal Pup KELLY

Well done to Kelly and all her friends who gaurded this seal pup, on streedagh beach, Sunday evening..amidst all the surfers. Thankfully, after some TLC overnight we were successfully able to release ,now aptly christened 'Kelly' back into the sea this morning ,at Portavade. WE would like to thank J.R. a local fisherman(seal Friendly) for all his help at the release.
Annie & Christopher S.A.R.

Pic To Follow

Young Signet

A huge Thank you to Tom Feeney, Ronnie and Courtney Conlon and the 3 lads from Sligo Kayaking Club, David Kelly, Daniel Burke and Tim Fullwood all involved in the signet rescue on the Garavogue river Saturday Oct 29th. After being attacked by a passing male swan ,this signet became entangled in some wire fencing on the opposite side of the river near Riverside. After, she was freed, her MINOR wounds were dressed she was released back into the water to rejoin her Mum,Dad and 2 siblings. Dad managed to chase off the offending stranger.
Pic to follow Well done, from Steven , Annie & Christopher S.A.R. *Happy Days*

'FOXY LOXY' SAVED FROM NEAR DEATH ON N59

This young adult fox was saved from certain death by Caroline and Dessie , seen in this picture with Christopher. Foxy Loxy as he was christened was found by Caroline and Dessie on the side of the main Sligo-Ballina Rd . He lay injured while his brother/sister lay dead on the busy N59, in the early hours of friday morning. Concerned they took him to their local vet and paid for his treatment themselves. We received a call from them and were happy to release Foxy Loxy back to the area where he came from when he was ready. In this picture Foxy Loxy is a little sedate from medication he was prescribed as necessary treatment for his injuries and is no way distressed during this time.
Please be advised, the Fox is a Wild Animal and must be treated as such. They will bite to protect themselves.
We at Sligo Animal Rescue would like to thank Caroline and Dessie for their time and concern afforded to this young fox, without which it most certainly would have L-R Caroline, Christopher(SAR) with Foxy and Dessie received the same fate as its partner.

WALKING WOUNDED ON THE N59

This poor chap had a few near misses as he strolled along the busy N59 . Luckily myself and Christopher were driving along and Christopher got out and rescued him. As you can see we had to strap a badly broken wing but hopefully the wing will mend. He is partial to a bit of Salmon and is not a shy eater.Time will tell if he can be released back into the wild following rest but we will keep ye posted. x A

Update DOING WELL

'Dancer' This poor female swan fell victim to a discarded fish hook and line at Riverside Sligo.

In this picture from left to right,
Steven Kilgannon, S.A.R., Kevin Foley, Cornageegha, Sligo (& Dancer),
Stuart Lynn, Sligo and Christopher Kilgannon, S.A.R.

Sligo Animal Rescue took a call from a concerned citizen namely, Kevin Foley on the afternoon of Bank Holiday Monday, June 6th, with regard to a distressed swan at Riverside, Sligo. On investigation, this swan was bleeding very heavily from her right leg , evidence on her bloodied feathers and also much blood on the slipway. After a failed attempt to catch her, it was decided to return with a stronger rescue plan. It took a little time to coordinate the rescue and secure an appropriate net to catch her as the garavogue river is quite vast and the net needed to be quite large. We thankfully secured a large net from 'John Christie Kilgannon and his son Eamonn, Dromore West, which we were very grateful for.
Today Wednesday, June 8th, at 12.40 we put our rescue plan into action. With Kevin Foley and Stuart Lynn both on standby with their Kayaks and Sligo Animal Rescues workers, Steven and Christopher Kilgannon, they all entered the water at the slipway at riverside. After the first failed attempt, the swan, with her male partner, swam out further up river. We tried again, as I stood and coordinated on the slipway, Stuart took his kayak out River and sent the pair back towards the slipway, as Steven waded out into the deep water at the centre of the river to block them off. Kevin and Christopher up to their waists in water, organised the Net next to the slipway and very carefully and calmly they all lead both swans back into towards the slipway and successfully, in a great team effort secured the net over the female, allowing the male to go free.
We took her from the water and removing the net we discovered she had a fish hook embedded in her right leg causing her great pain and she was bleeding heavily from the wound. After successfully removing the hook, I dressed her wound to prevent infection and we happily released her back into the water to join her partner.

This is all too often the story for animals on any river/lake, that fall victim to discarded lines with hooks still attached. All too often the hooks are lodged in their throats and by the time they surface to the water side it is too late. Also, we have had experience of swans and ducks swallowing the lead weights used in fishing, causing them to suffer from lead poisoning.

We realise it is not always possible to retrieve lost lines but would like to ask all fishermen out their to do their best to retrieve these pieces of line where at all possible and to be conscious of the damage they can cause to our wildlife friends on the water.

If you see a distressed swan out of the water, please, do not encourage the bird back into the water as it is extremely difficult to rescue and help them, once they go back out river.
Please call our No. Sligo Animal Rescue 087 2706222 and we will get someone to help as soon as is possible.

A very relieved 'Dancer' as she was released.

Aptly named 'Dancer', as she danced to freedom delighted to be free of the nasty hook.
We at Sligo Animal Rescue would also like to thank Mr Ronnie Conlon and his daughter, Courtney, of Riverside, who provided the much apprieciated Umbrellas, sheltering us as we tended to Dancers injuries.
(Not forgetting the bread)
Also, the gentleman tending to his boat, who kindly stood out to allow us rescue the swan.

Seagull ..................................Rescued from Balliso by concerned fishermen

We at Sligo Animal Rescue received a call at 11.30pm Monday June 28th from some concerned young men ' Dillon Healy 'and 'Owen Commerford', who while out fishing noticed a bird in distress. On arriving to the area, Steven (S.A.R.) and Dillon having to cross a fence, retrieved the Seagull from the waters edge. The bird, while disorientated doesn't appear to have any injuries but following administeration of some fluids , the bird was taken back to Dromard, where it will be rested and monitored. However sadly, it is quite possible that it may have swallowed some lead from this popular fishing area.
It is great to see the concern shown by these lads while perhaps others may have ignored the bird, being so late in the evening. Fair play , Lads.
We will keep ye posted on its progress. Thanks Again.
SADLY THIS BIRD DIED DUE TO INFECTION.

SUCCESSFUL RELEASE OF OUR SEALS AT STRANDHILL BEACH

All the Seals below were released by the Irish Seal Sanctuary on Saturday Sept 11th. Sadly all our Volunteers on the day had to assist Roscommon SPCA on an Emergengy call in Boyle and missed the release. We hope all our babies do well back in the wild.

DAMIEN ....................First Seal pup of this Season rescued from Ballisodare Bay

Pictured here with Damien: Ciara and Emma Crawley whose Dad 'Denis' rescued Baby Seal 'Damien' from an almost certain fate . This little fella is the first seal pup of this season and was only approx 1 day old when rescued. Sadly we can expect many more before the season ends. Damien was found on a stretch of beach in Ballisodare and took home to the Crawley household. We then collected Damien from Denis and his lovely family. We took him home where we stomach-tube fed it until the girls made their way from the Irish Seal Sanctuary, now based at their new home in Courtown Harbour Co. Wexford
Damien is doing very well by all accounts and we look forward to his release in the near future , once the seal sanctuary have built him up to that stage. His story was published in 'The Sligo Champion'
It is very important if you find a seal pup on the beach that you don't try to place it back in the water. It will almost certainly return to shore and will possibly die at this very young age. If you do find a seal pup be very careful as they DO BITE.   Do not be deceived by their gentle appearance and cute big eyes. They can cause serious injuries with their very sharp teeth especially when a little older.
                                                                                         Contact Annie/Christopher on 087 2465167 or Steven on 0858173367.
                                                                   Also The Irish Seal Sanctuary can be reached at 053 9424980

Stuart............................................ Seal pup No.2 2010 also found Ballisodare Bay

Little Stuart was found on Ballisodare Bay by Stuart Lynn and his dad Robert, while out Kayaking on Sunday, June 20th. Stuart was approx 7days old but was much smaller than Damien, our first seal who was only a day old when rescued. Stuart was taken back to the Lynn Household in Thornhill, Sligo, where Stuart and his dad Robert, cared for him until Sligo Animal Rescue picked him up. Stuart was most definitely the most placid of all the seals we have dealt with to date. All he was interested in, was nuzzling up to whoever was handling him. He is a real little heartbreaker. He remained on tube feeds overnight and on Monday, Annie met with Lynn from the Irish seal Sanctuary. Lynn took him back to Wexford to join Damien who is now the same age as him. These 2 pups are also the first and only newborn pups to date, this year in the sanctuary. That could change overnight.
We look forward to their release together as they continue to thrive.
Picture: Left to right
Robert Lynn, Christopher of Sligo Animal Rescue holding Baby Seal Pup 'Stuart' and Stuart Lynn.

Nicky ...........................Seal pup No. 4 found in Strandhill., Co. Sligo

On Saturday morning, June 26th, I (Annie, S.A.R.) received a call from Laura at the new recently opened 'Dingle Seal Sanctuary'. Laura had received a call from Neil at Voya , Seaweed Baths in Strandhill. Neil ,who has been a friend to the Irish Seal Sanctuary (I.S.S) for a long number of years, had rescued a seal pup. As the I.S.S. Wexford, were not in a position to receive this pup, Laura was going to set off on the long 6hr journey from Dingle, Co.Kerry.
This pup was under a week old, as still had some umbilicus attached. In a effort to help 'Dingle .S.S. and shorten their journey, I decided to set up a relay of drivers to collect this seal and meet Laura in Knock Co Mayo, approx 1 hour drive from Sligo. It then transpired that another seal pup was on route from a beach in Co. Donegal .(Seen below)
Along with my daughter Nicola and 2 aspiring volunteers, Patricia and Imelda, we set off. On arriving in Strandhill and taking the seal pup from the seaweed baths, where we very quickly gained a large audience of tourists. I explained to them about the seal pups and the work over the years of the Irish Seal Sanctuary and now the new Dingle Seal Sanctuary. Some watched as I tube fed the seal, since it was due a feed. It had been examined and fed in Inishfree Veterinary Hospital earlier that morning. This would help to keep it hydrated on its long journey.
We then set off to meet Laura and Ciaran from Dingle S.S. where 'Nicky' and 'Seali' were passed over, just outside of Knock Airport. From there it was esblished this was a male and was named 'Nicky' ..after Nicola as we hadn't been given a name in strandhill.
He will remain in the care of Dingle Seal sanctuary until he is strong enough to be released. He joins 'Anthony' a pup(seal no.3) also rescued in Strandhill on the previous thursday, also by Neil.

Picture: Nicky happily suckling on his toes.

Seali................................... Seal pup No.5 found on a Beach in Co.Donegal.

This little seal had been carefully monitored over a couple of days by Martin and Lynn Anderson, at a Donegal Beach. When it was clear that the pup was in difficulty , Martin removed it from the beach, unfortunately being bitten in the process, not too seriously, T.G. This pup, was then taken by John and Fiona Lynch of Bundoran, to Sligo, where they met us from Sligo Animal Rescue , on the Bundoran Rd , just outside Sligo. It was clear this young seal, again less than a week old, was dehydratred and with the help of our team and John and Fiona Lynch, I proceeded to stomach tube it to rehydrate it before its long journey to Dingle. Without these fluids it was unlikely to make it even to Knock, where we met Laura and Ciaran from the Dingle Seal Sanctuary. Sometimes it is difficulty to know when to intervene when a seal pup is on the beach, as it is always better for a pup to remain with its mum, but in this case Martin and Lynn made the right decision and in turn gave this pup its best possible chance of survival. This pup is a female and will join 'Nicky' and 'Anthony' in Dingle, until she is strong enough for release.
Seali, was tube fed again at Knock by Laura and Ciaran . She was then placed in comfortable crate along side Nicky, before they set off on their long return journey back to Dingle, As with any of these Pups there are no gaurantees they will survive, but for now that will get the best possible chance, in the care of 'Dingle Seal Sanctuary'.
We will keep ye posted on their progress.

Picture: Seali crated, ready for the journey to Dingle.

Mute Swan - Hazelwood

Mute Swan- Hazelwood

In the month of October 2007 we received our first swan call as ordinary citizens from a neighbour who found the injured swan at Hazelwood. The swan had severe injuries to its head and it had appeared to have puncture wounds on both sides of it's consistent with dog bites. Finder Mary K failed to get in contact with any group willing to help and contacted Annie, as she knew Annie had veterinary experience. Mary was advised to take the swan out to Annie, where we carried out first-aid treatment. Realising the extent of its injuries, we conferred with Lother at "Eagles Flying" in Ballymote, and he confirmed the prognosis for this bird was bad. We immediately took the swan to a local Vet, where it was euthanised on humane grounds. This was to become the first of many swan rescues as we realised there was very little services for such rescues available in the north-west. (Original picture is too graphic to include)

Mute Swan - Ballisodare

Mute swan released

Annie and Steven noticed a mute swan struggling to get through barriers on the side of the road in Ballisodare. When they rescued the swan from the footpath they noticed that the swan had some severe injuries to its face and wing. It was brought back to Dromard and remained there for the next 12 days on treatment before being released back out on to the river in Ballisodare.

Mute Swan Signet - Doocastle

A Signet Similar to the one we rescued

Following a number of calls from the Doocastle area, in Sligo at Derrykinlough, we attended a call to a swan in some distress. Assisting in finding the Bird was a local lady, Mary, and some of her family. On locating the bird, it was clear it was a young signet and it appeared to have been involved in an RTA and was indeed very weak from what appeared to be faecal haemorrhage. We retrieved the bird and took it back to our home. Following some re-hydration therapy and treatment, we allowed it to rest. Sadly, it died overnight due to obvious internal injuries.

Mute Swan - Ballinacarrow

Mute Swan- Ballinacarrow

This swan was attacked by a younger male on a lake near Ballinacarrow. Having sustained injuries to his beak, wings and neck ,we rescued him from the riverbank with the assistance of a local farmer. he was taken back to our home where he remained for a number of weeks, while he recovered.
As we could not release him back onto the same lake , he was released onto one of the Beautiful lakes in Pontoon.

Whooper Swan - Skreen

Rare whooper swan

This poor ‘Whooper swan’ sustained severe injuries when she hit overhead cable in the Skreen area of Co. Sligo.

Sadly, despite intense care and treatment, she died 3weeks later, due to irrepairable damage to her leg and wing.

She became our first newspaper article, with the local papers, highlighting, the need for rescue services for injured swans, that SLIGO ANIMAL RESCUE now provide

Swan - Blue lagoon Sligo

Whilst we were attending another rescue, we recieved a call from a concerned fisherman on the Garavouge River near the Blue Lagoon in Sligo Town. It concerned a swan which had fishing line wrapped around its body and had managed to get its head stuck in a wall on the bank of the river. As we were not available to attend immediately, Annie managed to talk the gentleman through the process of releasing the the swan and the swan was safely released back onto the river without any injuries.

Mute - Swan - Markree Castle

Mute Swan released in Skreen

This old fella was rescued, having been very badly injured, from the river at Markree Castle Collooney . He had been attacked by yet another younger male and had sustained life threatening injuries. he was estimated to be @ 20yrs old. We later learned that he lost his mate only a number of months before. We took him back to Animal Hospital in Castlebar where they have a vast experience of working with swans, we received treatment for him and took him home . After 5 weeks , Markee recovered well enough to be released onto a private lake, where he thought was heaven. His old age and bad health did not allow us to release him back onto a lake with other swans . There was a great danger that another fight would surely kill him. He remained on that lake for @ 2 months but sadly started to attack the resident ducks on the lake and we were asked to remove him, we we also worried the fighting would enhinge on his already bad respiratory condition. We placed him on a smaller lake near our home and within 2 days we watched him fly over our house and I thought Wow! How great to see him fly so well but this meant we could no longer monitor his condition. 3 weels later we received a call for an injured swan on ballisodare river near the waterfall..... Yes! it was our Markee with all his old scars and now some new ones from a brand new battle.
We took him home again, this time he was much weaker. We treated him for a number of weeks and just as we decided he could be placed on a lake, he sadly died overnight. We realised from an early stage that his broken heart from losing his partner left him little desire to fight back. This coupled with his age meant he his life expectancy were graetly shortened. We take comfort in the fact that he enjoyed the last number of months of his life in peace

Mute Signet - Lough Talt

Success

August Bank Holiday Weekend '09
This was an unforgettable rescue. Having drivin to loch talt late in the evening ,to meet with some lovely and very concerned tourists from North England . They were concerned about this young signet that had fishing line wrapped around it's body and legs. It was very distressed. We made a number of attempts to attract the swan onto the shore (as it had done with the tourist over the previous couple of days but they were scared to try and catch her) but we had No joy.
When we returned early the next day we were hindered by the fact that each time it came close to shore it's own parent would frighten it away, quite aggressively.
On the 3rd visit we organised to have a local fisherman take us out on the lake and eventually with Steven on the boat with Michael Rochford, they managed to get her cornered into a bunch of reeds and Christopher sucessfully captured her.
After 3 attempts we were delighted to be able to say SLIGO ANIMAL RESCUE were successful, with the help of local fisherman Mr.Michael Rochford and some tourists. We took her home treated her and left her free to fly if and when she chose. She took to flight 3 days later. Another happy ending.

Seal - Culleenamore Beach

On mothers day, we recieved a call about a seal pup which seemed to be in distress on the shore. Steven and Dorothy arrived at culleenamore and walked about an hour across the beach only to find that the seal pup had been placed back into the water. After a long search of the beach and a number of queries, Dorothy and Steven established that the seal was safely back in the water.

Badger- Strandhill

Badger

We took a call from a very distresses lady in Strandhill. Her story was that she went into her back garden in stranhill with her young child to find a rather big badger strethed out on her back lawn, in a housing estate in Stranhill. We went to the lady's house to find the badger had taken residence under her garden shed. This very strong badger put up a bit of a sruggle with us but we successfully removed her from underneath the shed and having checked that there were no youmg there and it was clear she had only recently moved there. We released her back in to a local field where some of the residents said they regularly see the badgers. Sure enough there was a male sitting in the field on our approach. She very quickly scurried back to her den.

Fox Cub- Riverstown

Rescued fox cub

RESCUED AFTER ROAD TRAFFIC
ACCIDENT IN RIVERSTOWN AREA

‘Jessie’is a 6 Week old FOX CUB

She had sustained head injuries and was nursed back to health at one of our homes in Dromard, with food gratefully provided by ‘Lothar’ from ‘Eagles Flying’
She was released back to the wild 3 weeks later, after she made a full recovery.

Duckling's - Sooey

Rescued Ducklings

We recieved a call from a very distressed gentleman who had just spotted a mother duck and ducklings on the side ofa busy main road, when he got a bit nearer he realised that a few of the ducklings had falling into a cattle grid in the driveway of a local house. Steven and Annie attended the call and through listening to the call of the ducklings Steven managed to find the nest in long grass inside the wall. The mother meanwhile flew off and after a long wait for the mother to come back she didnt turn up, so we were left with no choice but to take the 9 ducklings from the nest and bring them home. Sadly 2 of these ducklings died due to stress but the remaining 7 were released on a local river when fully mature and able to fend for themselves.

Feral Cats - Rosses Point

We helped a very greatful lady with some feral cats in her garden. We took them to the vets for her where she covered the cost of neutering them. We then released them back into her garden, at her request

Goats - Island Kinlough

We recieved a call from a member of the Garda Siochana who recieved a call from a concerned farmer, who's worries concerned a number of goats placed on a local Island in Kinlough. After speaking to the Gardai we were able to put them in touch with somebody who could help them as we did not have facilities capable for the amount of Goats in question.

Ginger Cat - Road Traffic Accident

We recieved a call about an injured cat which had been involved in a road traffic accident in the Tubbercurry area. Sadly despite intense veterinary treatment this cat later died due to injuries sustained in the RTA.

Feral Cats - Skreen

This call involved one of our very reliable volunteers in which 3 feral cats were trapped from a local home, nuetered and then released on to a local farm with consent from the farmer. These cats are doing very well since.

Herron - Fort Dodge Finisklin

Herron

This very inexperienced flyer got himself into difficulty while practicing to fly. Submitting to exhaustion he landed in the grounds of Fort Dodge in finisklin, from where we rescued him. After some well earned rest and some fresh fish he quickly regained his strenghth. He was then transferred to Lothar @ Eagles Flying, where he could be amoung some more herrons like himself.

Feral Cats - Glencar

These kittens were rehomed while the mother cat was neutered, costs covered by the finders and mother cat was re released back into her garden afterwards.

Badger - Enniscrone

A number of calls were taken regarding an injured swan in the Enniscrone area but sadly the animal had already died.

Kittens - Cranmore

Kittens Rescued from
‘Cranmore Demolition site’

These kittens were amoung a number of very lucky kittens rescued from the houses in cranmore a short time before demolition.
Credit is given to the very caring buliders on site who took time out to rescue these little creatures before they would surely have died.
They contacted Sligo Animal Rescue and we were glad to help them out.

Both kittens were sucessfully rehomed together.

Collie Dog - Easkey

We received a call on a sunday afternoon relating to a dog that had apparently been injured on the road and had possibly broken its pelvis.The lady was very distressed and she had made a number of calls but failed to get help until she called 'Sligo Animal Rescue'
We attended the call and it was easy to see from my one experience, that infact his back was broken. We took him to the local vet where my suspicions were confirmed and sadly he had to be euthanased on humane grounds. We were pleased to be able to help this animal even though the story ends sadly and we are greatful to the concerned members of the public who contacted us.

Seal - Mullaghmore

Here is one of our seals, rescued and transferred to the Irish seal Sanctuary ' in Dublin. She remained ther to recuperate before been re-relaesed back into the sea 8weeks later.

Gannet-Rosses Point

This is a picture of a gannet similar to the one we rescued from Rossespoint beach. After consulting withLothar at Eagles flying we were scheduled to take the bird to him. Sadly after taking over an hour to find him and having walked what seemed like forever on the beach we eventually found him in a very weakened state . After carefully carrying him back to our car we feel the bird was too badly injured and coupled with the stress , it died just as we arrive back at the car.

Seal - Rosses Point

Another seal happily removed from the beach after being abandoned by his mum.
transferred to The Irish Seal Sanctuary' to recuperate before release