The volunteers of British Divers Marine Life Rescue set up the Caithness branch last September - and, one year on, have logged no fewer than 60 call-outs and the rescue of 30 creatures, from seals to dolphins and whales.
BDMLR first started training volunteers in the Caithness area in 1997, but it was not until last year that it was possible to establish a self-sufficient operations unit, with appropriately qualified medics, boat-handlers and cliff-rescue specialists.
The combination of skills ensures that, along the rugged coastlines on which they operate, team-members can reach animals which are either still afloat or beached in awkward places.
BDMLR has reminded the public that, come October, the grey seal pupping season begins. People should not touch the animals, as unnatural contact can lead to abandonment of the young and their subsequent demise.
People need also to take care to keep dogs on leads when walking on foreshores. Ideally they should avoid areas known to have seal pupping colonies, so as not to frighten the creatures.
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