Rescue centre in Lincolnshire scrambles to raise funds as injured and traumatised seal pups require life-saving care after being ripped from their mothers by Storm Darragh.

A storm’s wrath is measured not just in human terms but in the harrowing fates of the most vulnerable creatures caught in its path. After Storm Darragh battered the Lincolnshire coast, the Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary and Wildlife Centre is struggling to save six grey seal pups, torn from their mothers and left gravely injured by the relentless weather.

The sanctuary, which houses 200 animals and runs a hospital for abandoned seal pups, is now pleading for donations to meet skyrocketing costs of food, medication, and veterinary care. Chloe Drew, the centre’s manager, revealed that caring for just one pup can cost between £2,000 and £5,000, and the current group of six requires intense, round-the-clock treatment.

“Three of them are in critical condition,” Drew explained, her voice heavy with emotion. “They’ve got bad infections—one even has a nasty wound on its face. It’s a very emotionally exhausting job, knowing they’re suffering and trying to do everything we can to save them.”

These pups, born at Donna Nook, were cruelly separated from their mothers as the storm’s ferocious waves washed them ashore. Stranded and defenceless, they were rescued and brought to the sanctuary, where staff are working tirelessly to heal their injuries and infections.

The costs, however, are overwhelming. Feeding one seal pup alone amounts to £25 a day, not to mention the hefty price of heating, energy, medications, and repeated vet visits. Drew estimated they need £30,000 to give these pups the care required to release them back into the wild.

“We can only handle six right now,” Drew said. “Their needs are so complex—they’re taking much more time and resources than healthy pups who’ve just been separated from their mums. But we’re determined to give them the best possible chance.”

Among the six are three pups suffering from severe eye infections and another with a deeply infected facial wound. Each requires intensive cleaning, medical treatment, and constant monitoring to prevent their conditions from worsening.

While Drew and her team pour their energy into the animals, the emotional toll of seeing the pups in such poor health weighs heavily on them. “It’s heartbreaking,” she admitted. “When you’re up close, seeing how unwell they are—it’s draining. But we have to push through for them.”

Despite their relentless efforts, the sanctuary faces an uphill battle. With winter temperatures biting and energy costs soaring, resources are stretched thin. Drew has appealed to the public for help, urging anyone who can to contribute to the centre’s work.

The ultimate goal remains clear: restoring these pups to health and releasing them into the wild where they belong. But the sanctuary cannot do it alone. Donations, however small, could be the difference between survival and tragedy for these storm-stricken seals.

For now, Drew and her team continue their exhausting work, driven by the hope that these vulnerable creatures will one day recover. “The day we release them back into the wild—that makes it all worth it,” she said.