The Manx Wildlife Trust is appealing for donations to help rehabilitate seal pups that are ill or have been abandoned.

Currently, there is ’very limited provision’ for the rehabilitation of seal pups in the island.

The charity has stressed it doesn’t normally get involved with the welfare of individual animals but has ’been compelled to take action’ after reports of seal pups being picked up off beaches and put back in the sea which will likely result in death as mothers will abandon pups that have been interfered with.

MWT released a statement which explained at this time of year, pups and juvenile Atlantic grey seals will haul up on beaches to rest.

It said: ’They don’t always choose the best places to rest, often very public beaches with lots of people and dogs.

’Should intervention be necessary, trained volunteers will remove the seal and take it for treatment and rehabilitation before being released back into the wild.

’This is an expensive job and we are in need of some support to cover the costs.’

It costs around £4,000 per year, depending on the number of pups and juveniles in need of care, for rehabiliatation of seal pups.

Donations would go towards the improvement of the seal rehabilitation facilities, including constructing a custom built shed and pond, which would help the seals to transition back into the wild.

People can donate by going to the donations page on MWT’s website and selecting the amount they wish to give.