On the left, Sandra Kristoffersson, and on the right, Synnöve Axelsson. The two friends came to the aid of the seal pup in Skelleftehamn on Sunday.
Local residents Sandra Kristoffersson and her friend Synnöve Axelsson, upon hearing the news, refused to stand idly by.
– My friend Synnöve called me urgently. 'We can't just stand by and do nothing! Grab some gloves and meet me – this seal needs our help!, Sandra said.
Arriving at the scene, they found the disoriented seal pup still positioned near the traffic lights.
– It appeared unharmed but undeniably tired and distressed, Sandra observed.
– It's a mystery how it ended up there, but it must have traveled a considerable distance, crossing both railways and roads.
"The seal seemed fine, but looked tired and stressed," says Sandra Kristoffersson, who helped the lost seal pup.
Sandra came prepared with a blanket, hoping to either gently wrap the pup or use it to guide it back towards the water.
– It proved challenging, she admitted:
– The pup was surprisingly agile, which made capture difficult.
Throughout the rescue, Sandra remained aware of the potential dangers.
– Seals can be aggressive, so we exercised extreme caution. Their powerful jaws and sharp teeth can inflict serious injuries. I never approached the pup directly, using the blanket as a barrier.
Thankfully, additional help soon arrived from other concerned residents who brought a large plastic barrel.
– We managed to coax the pup inside and then carried it down to the water's edge, Sandra said.
– It was a true display of community spirit, working together instead of waiting for someone else to intervene.
While the rescue itself took less than half an hour, it was a physically demanding experience.
– It's surprising how heavy a seal pup can be! All three of us pitched in to carry it, Sandra said with a laugh.
The springtime period is when seal mothers naturally wean their pups. These young seals, often disoriented, can then wander into unusual locations, even venturing near roads close to the sea.
– Raising public awareness about these situations is crucial, Sandra emphasized.
– Knowing how to call for help or simply alerting others to be cautious can make a big difference.
Reflecting on the experience, Sandra concluded:
– It wasn't exactly how I envisioned my day starting, but an unexpected adventure nonetheless! This was my first encounter with a live seal, and it feels great to have made a positive impact.