Hispi the ringed seal to be released on Shetland, after being cared for by Scottish SPCA

The SSPCA have been caring for the ringed seal – a species normally found in arctic waters – since August 27, and will release him on Shetland tomorrow.

He is being let free on Shetland to give him the best chance to find his way back to the artic waters where he belongs.

Scotland’s animal welfare charity was alerted to the male seal by the British Divers Marine Life Rescue after he was spotted at Cove Bay Harbour in Aberdeen on 27 August.

The seal, who they named Hispi, had abrasions on his back and seemed lethargic. He was mistaken for a common seal pup, as ringed seals are much smaller than common seals, but when he arrived at the Society’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre, he was correctly re-identified.

In September, Sian Belcher, wildlife assistant for the SSPCA said: "We were very surprised to have a ringed seal arrive in our care as they are found in arctic waters and can venture as far south as Greenland or Norway so it’s very unusual that he was found in the Aberdeen area.

“As he is so young, probably only around six to eight weeks old, we think his mum may have been searching for food and it brought her to the north of Scotland. She must have then given birth to this wee pup who has now found himself in our care.

“It’s unlikely that she ventured south due to warmer seas caused by global warming as ringed seals need colder water, not warmer.

Hispi, the rare ringed seal, who will be released on Shetland tomorrow.

“It seems that there have only been around 12-30 sightings of ringed seals in the UK over the last 100 years. They are one of the most widespread seals on the planet but concentrated in the arctic area.

“We decided to call him Hispi. He wasn’t too underweight when he arrived but is eating well and putting on some weight.

“Hispi is doing well and our team are very excited to have such a rare resident. It doesn’t hurt that he’s impossibly cute".

“He will most likely stay with us in to October and then we will need to get as far north as we possibly can to release him so he can find his way back home.”

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