Seals at a rescue centre in Clackmannanshire have been jetted off to Shetland due to water supply issues.
A water treatment plant at the National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fishcross has broken down - leaving the Scottish SPCA in "urgent" need of donations to replace the system.
Four seals were moved to Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary in Shetland earlier this week. The marine animals boarded planes on July 26, alongside a team of wildlife rehabilitation experts.
The Scottish SPCA has now launched an urgent appeal for donations to raise funds to replace the plant at Fishcross.
The charity said it will cost more than £600,000 to replace the water filtration system.
Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary founder Jan Bevington said: “When the Scottish SPCA called asking could we help with the care of their common seal pups, there was no hesitation on our part.
“The Scottish SPCA has helped us invaluably over the years and we are only too happy to return the favour. We love nothing better than collaborating with other animal welfare organisations. In these times, wildlife needs us all to work together on their behalf.
“It just so happens that, for the first time in the sanctuary’s 35-year history, we have had no common seal pups brought in from around Shetland’s coast this year, which has been a source of concern to us, but it means we have plenty of room for our new visitors.”
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Chris Hogsden, manager of the Scottish SPCA’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre, said another five seals remain in their care while an alternative site is sought.
He added: “In addition to the seals, we also have hundreds of seabirds and waterfowl on site who came in to our care before the current bird flu restrictions and are waiting to be released.
“We cannot stress enough how vital this water treatment plant is for us to be able to continue our work rescuing and rehabilitating Scotland’s wildlife.
“We know times are tough for everyone and we do need to raise a large sum of money, but even the smallest donation will help towards our target.
“We’d be so grateful for anything members of the public can spare, and we know Scotland’s wildlife will be too.”
Donations to the water treatment plant can be made via the Scottish SPCA’s website here.
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