Manx Wildlife Trust has raised £20,000 for seal rehabilitation.

The charity’s seal appeal, which ran before Christmas, was to ensure seal pups and juveniles are well fed and rehabilitated.

It came after MWT appealed for donations to help rehabilitate seal pups that are ill or have been abandoned.

Before this, there was ’very limited provision’ for the rehabilitation of seal pups in the island, according to the charity.

It was ’compelled to take action’ after reports of seal pups being picked up off beaches and put back in the sea, which would likely result in death as mothers will abandon pups that have been interfered with.

The reports started in October when seal pups are common and will reside on land for a short time to rest.

Haul out sites are important for them to have time to digest food as well, so disturbance at their haul out site can impact on seal fitness and breeding success.

The mother will always be nearby while the pup is resting ashore.

With these funds, MWT plans to buy a shipping container which will form the structure for the seals to be housed during their initial recovery.

Once this is in place, it will look to build a pool in the north of the island.

Around £10,000 was raised altogether but an additional donation of £10,000 from the Gough Ritchie Trust will be used for training of staff, vets and volunteers, with anything left over going to the building of and ongoing costs of the rehabilitation centre.

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

Lara Howe, marine conservation officer at MWT, said: ’Manx Wildlife Trust are so grateful for the generous donations received in support of the seal rehabilitation work.

’Obviously this work costs money and it’s great to see the Manx public helping us achieve this.’

Dr Howe added: ’It wouldn’t be possible without their support and the support of the volunteers and Ann who looks after the seals.

’It’s a huge team effort and great to see the island coming together to protect these special animals.’

It’s not known how much will need to be spent on the pool as the charity is currently reviewing its options.

On social media, the charity thanked the public for the donations and said that because of them and the help of volunteer vets, MWT was able to rehabilitate several abandoned seal pups.

This included Crunchie the seal, who was released back into the sea in November last year.

’At first she was a little reluctant to go,’ it said. ’She seemed to have liked the free food and enjoyed the media attention too much!

’She did eventually go and is now living her best life in the waters around the Isle of Man and it’s all thanks to you and the money raised.’