A complex web of interdependence exists between the various organisms that comprise an ecosystem, such as seals. Earth’s rich biodiversity is essential to the planet’s continued existence. Therefore, the loss of even a single species can have far-reaching effects on the biosphere.
Some species become extinct because of human interference, specifically deforestation and destroying their natural habitats. This carelessness calls for serious and efficient conservation efforts.
On the bright side, people like Lizzi are still passionate about saving and preserving marine ecosystems. This woman put all her means and effort into saving injured seals in Cornwall and volunteering to rescue more endangered marine animals.
Meet Lizzi
49-year-old Lizzi Larbalestier, an ocean activist and British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) volunteer, saved 1,000 hurting seals on the seashore of Cornwall, England. Because of her heroic act to the helpless marine animals, she received an Animal Action Award.
But what stood out the most was that Lizzi went above and beyond when she saved the poor seals. She even spent nine months building a makeshift animal shelter and hospital out of her Airbnb property.
Initially, the facility only had a few pens to shelter each needy animal. But with the help of Lizzi’s husband and other volunteers, they constructed a brand new seal hospital in Cornwall from scratch.
British Divers Marine Life Rescue Hospital
The British Divers Marine Life Rescue Hospital’s new facility has 10 compared to the couple’s previous facility, which only had six pens. In their third year of operation, Lizzi has received over 3,000 calls to respond to wounded or displaced marine animals yearly. They expect roughly 100 seals to arrive for rehabilitation.
Some animals are brought in for medical attention after receiving cuts from boats or fishing gear. There are also some orphaned infants, while others are young animals whose parents abandoned them and who would have starved to death if they hadn’t been rescued.
Seals can visit the hospital for routine checkups, emergency care after being caught in a fishing net, or foster and rehabilitation before moving to a larger facility.
How the hospital conducts its marine conservation efforts
Lizzi emphasizes that the entire team is responsible for the day-to-day operations and that every volunteer has a crucial part to play in the success of BDMLR’s marine conservation efforts.
Any volunteer medic can rescue the young animals. If necessary, they are sent to the hospital, where a vet will examine them thoroughly and devise a treatment plan. They adhere to strict regulations to ensure the best possible care. It is an exercise in true teamwork.
After being rescued, these animals will need vital care to stabilize them before being sent to more extensive rehabilitation facilities. These facilities can be the Cornish Seal Sanctuary or the West Hatch RSPCA facility until they return to the wild.
The threats to seals and other marine life
While seals are the focus of BDMLR’s rescue efforts, Lizzi and her volunteers also respond to calls involving whales, dolphins, and porpoises. These species, especially whales and sea turtles, are already included on the endangered list of the World Wildlife Organization.
An important example is a turtle discovered in Perranporth and brought by Lizzi to the Newquay Blue Reef Aquarium for treatment. After the crew conducted a sophisticated rescue operation, eight dolphins were rescued from the muck under Mylor Bridge. Each answer exemplifies the group’s commitment to protecting marine life.
Additionally, climate change, habitat loss, and overfishing pose severe threats to the survival of many marine species. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists hundreds of marine species worldwide as endangered or critical. This list also evaluates the population size, breeding success, and other parameters to assess the conservation status of each species.
What you can do to help preserve marine life
You may not be as passionate and hardworking as Lizzi when rescuing marine and other animals. But you can still play a part in helping these species without working on the ground. Here’s how you can raise awareness for the BDMLR’s advocacy and how you can support them in their future works:
Follow BDLMR on social media
The hospital’s Facebook page helps spread the word about their services, and during grey seal pup season, you can learn a lot about their in-patients. This platform also provides a convenient tool to send them reports on marine animal sightings that require rescue.
Donate
Since Lizzi and her team are all volunteers, your donation will help them improve their work and facilities. As a result, more seals and other marine animals can be saved.
Pen sponsorships
Individuals, organizations, and corporations can sponsor one of their 10 seal pens annually. They offer a fantastic chance to help a worthy cause in Cornwall, improving the lives of the remarkable and critically endangered grey seals that call our shores home.
All the money raised from pen sponsorships goes toward utilities, facility maintenance, purchasing general equipment and supplies like cages and food, and the veterinary treatment they need.
Volunteer
The BDMLR Marine Mammal Medics certification is required for all hospital volunteers. Before beginning the grey seal season, they conduct an internal summer recruitment campaign inside BDMLR for any volunteer roles available at the facility.
Save marine life for future generations
People like Lizzi serve as an inspiration to future generations to become more aware of the status of the planet’s marine life. Maintaining the vitality of the oceans and the myriad species that call them home is an enormous investment in the future that will pay dividends for many years to come.
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