Two seal pups flown 480 km to safety
Two orphaned seal pups were flown almost 500 km from Jersey to the UK mainland last week, after weather delays made their evacuation increasingly urgent. British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) had found the underweight animals at separate locations on the island, but specialist care was only available at South Essex Wildlife Hospital.
With sea transport deemed too stressful, charity Civil Air Support (CAS) coordinated an emergency airlift, planning around several days of poor conditions. A volunteer crew finally completed the flight in a PA32 from Biggin Hill, landing at London Southend Airport, which waived all fees. After onward road transport, both pups are now receiving medical treatment. CAS said the mission showed how aviation logistics can save wildlife when every hour counts. (ah)