Police Find Newborn Seal Pup at Illegal Party in Borgsweer

In the early morning, the police contacted the Seal Center. At the center’s request, the pup was temporarily moved to a safe location, allowing a seal responder to pick her up. The animal turned out to be only two to four days old and still had her umbilical cord attached.

Disturbing Report

The pup had likely been at the party for several hours. It is suspected that the mother fled due to the noise and commotion. Earlier that night, the animal ambulance received a report from someone concerned about loud partying and a seal pup. However, since the animal ambulance does not handle seals, they advised the caller to contact the Seal Center. Unfortunately, this did not happen.

Smaller Than Average

The pup is a female and has been named Rave. She is currently being cared for in the seal hospital. Without its mother’s milk, a pup this young would not survive in the wild. That’s why she’s now being fed a salmon-based formula at the center to support her growth. Weighing just 7.2 kilograms, Rave is smaller than average—most seal pups are born weighing around 9 kilos.

The coming weeks will be all about rest, recovery, and growth—just like for every newborn seal in rehabilitation. Rave is expected to stay at the center for about two to three months, until she is strong enough to return to the wild.

Once Again, Human Impact

Rave is not the first pup this year to end up in the center due to human activity. Several pups currently in care were disturbed by beachgoers or dogs. In one case, a pup was even taken into a car by people before they contacted the Seal Center.

The Seal Center urges everyone to keep at least 30 meters (about 100 feet) distance from seals in the wild. Pay attention to warning signs and always keep dogs on a leash. If in doubt, call a nearby seal rescue center.

Rave needs our care—and you can make a difference. By symbolically adopting her, you support our work and help provide her with a safe place to recover. Together, we can ensure that Rave receives the attention and care she deserves.