Seal sanctuary forced to scale back services
The Irish Seal Sanctuary (ISS) at Garristown has operated in this country for 23 years and is manned entirely by volunteers, with the exception of one community employment (CE) scheme worker. The country’s only marine wildlife rehabilitation centre, it specialises in distressed seals and birds who are damaged by oil spills.
Since 1986, it has taken in 600 seals. Director Pauline Beades said that they will have to cap their seal intake at 12, even though they have a capacity for 25 seals, as they can’tafford to look after them properly. The sanctuary has been badly hit by the widespread downturn in fundraising.
