Six seals shot dead in Shetland

One of the seals killed on Shetland. Credit SSPCA

'Common' seal persecution 

June 2010. Six common seals were found washed up on a beach in Shetland, all six are believed to have been shot. The Scottish SPCA is appealing for information. SSPCA Senior Inspector Ron Patterson, who is based on the island, was alerted to the seals by Scottish Natural Heritage whose representatives had been walking the shoreline and made the grim discovery.

2 were carrying pups
SI Patterson attended the scene at Mara Ness, Bridge of Walls on Monday (7 June) and discovered the six seals, three with clear exit wounds to the head and three too far decomposed to be able to determine the cause of death. Post mortems have revealed two female seals were carrying large pups.

More carcasses may be found
"We believe all six seals were shot and there may be more seal carcasses washed up in other areas not yet discovered. This is a serious wildlife crime and we are therefore very keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed seals being shot in the area or who may have information relating to the shooting of seals," Senior Inspector Patterson said.

It's not only the adult seals that are killed, but any unborn pups are slowly starved of oxygen and any orphaned newborn pups are sentenced to a lingering death of starvation as they cannot possible survive the early days without their mother's milk. Credit SSPCA

"Common seal numbers are decreasing and the illegal shooting of seals is a contributing factor. In fact, it's almost wrong to call these animals common seals because they are gradually becoming a rare sight in the waters around Shetland. Shooting a seal at any time of year is a very cruel and callous act, but June is the time when common seals are actively breeding and having their pups. It's not only the adult seals that are killed, but any unborn pups are slowly starved of oxygen and any orphaned newborn pups are sentenced to a lingering death of starvation as they cannot possible survive the early days without their mother's milk. It is also likely once the pups are in a weakened state, but still alive, they will be attacked by birds which inevitable means the birds will attack the softest part of their bodies first while still alive. This is nearly always their eyes"

Anyone with information relating to the seal shootings on Shetland should contact our Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999, the Shetland Wildlife Rescue Unit on 01595 840 321 or the local police on 01595 692 110. All information provided is treated in the strictest confidence.