It was 8:00 a.m. and the dogs spotted her first, a tiny wee seal pup stranded in an outcropping of rocks on a Gabriola beach known as Bells Landing. Knowing the next high tide was not until 10:00 p.m. I began to fear for her safety and potential survival so I returned at 12:00 to discover Oceania (as I had now named her) was showing signs of distress with laboured breathing, dull eyes and lack of movement.

As a volunteer with the Gabriola Rescue of Wild Life Society (GROWLS) a non-profit organization dedicated to the transportation of sick, injured, orphaned or abandoned wildlife, education and the preservation of wildlife habitat, I knew this pup needed to be transported to a rehabilitation centre quickly.

After gathering my rescue gear and with the help of another very concerned Gabriolan, Oceania was safely placed in a carrier and transported in my car to Nanaimo where I meet with a volunteer from Second Chance Wildlife Centre. Oceania was then taken to a vet to be stabilized and prepared for sea plane transport to Vancouver for rehabilitation.

Good luck Oceania and I hope to see you frolicking as a fat and happy seal off the shores of Bells Landing, your birth place.

Gail Moerkerken
GROWLS Volunteer