Nestled in the picturesque and windswept coastal city of Cornwall, Lizzi Larbalestier stands as a beacon of compassion and dedication, running a hospital for injured seals while actively participating in volunteer efforts to rescue a myriad of sea life. Her remarkable contributions recently earned her the well-deserved Animal Action Award in recognition of her heroic endeavors.
Larbalestier’s journey began as a volunteer for the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), where she devoted nine months to tending to injured seals. Transforming her Airbnb into an improvised animal hospital reflected her commitment, but she soon realized the magnitude of the challenge demanded a more substantial solution. With unwavering determination, Larbalestier, alongside her husband and fellow volunteers, undertook the construction of a fully equipped seal hospital in Cornwall.
This new facility boasts ten pens, a significant expansion from the six available in their home-based operation. Now entering its third birthing season, the hospital anticipates welcoming approximately 100 seals annually for rehabilitation, responding to the staggering 3,000 calls received last year concerning injured or displaced sea life.
The seals arriving at Larbalestier’s hospital come with diverse stories. Some require immediate first aid after sustaining injuries from boats or fishing equipment. Others are distressed pups separated from their parents, while some are juveniles facing the brink of starvation due to unsuccessful hunting attempts.
In Larbalestier’s haven, the care administered varies—from routine check-ups and first aid to intricate procedures such as disentanglement from fishing nets. Certain cases necessitate a comprehensive foster and rehabilitation program, culminating in the transfer of these marine creatures to larger facilities.
Beyond her role in marine life rescue, Larbalestier is an active member of the Surfer’s Against Sewage campaign and Ghostnetbuster, underscoring her commitment to environmental causes. Her tireless efforts and dedication recently earned her the prestigious Animal Action Award from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), a recognition bestowed upon her in a ceremony held in London this week. Larbalestier’s story serves as an inspiring testament to the profound impact one individual can have on safeguarding and rehabilitating our precious marine life.
Lizzi underscores that the day-to-day tasks are a collective responsibility within their team, and every volunteer plays a ‘crucial’ role in BDMLR’s marine conservation initiatives.
“The pups get rescued by any one of us volunteer medics and, if necessary, get brought into the hospital where a vet will check them over and create a treatment plan,” she said. “We have clear protocols to ensure pups get the very best care, it is a real team effort.”
“We offer critical care for these animals post-rescue, [and] this stabilizes the pups and prepares them to move to larger rehabilitation centers.”
Following their hospital treatment, the pups in Cornwall are relocated to either the Cornish Seal Sanctuary or the West Hatch RSPCA facility before being set free back into their natural habitat.
Although BDMLR primarily focuses on rescuing seals, Larbalestier emphasizes that the volunteer team is frequently summoned to assist various marine wildlife species, such as whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
Recent rescue missions have included responding to a distressed turtle found in Perranporth, which was subsequently transferred to the Newquay Blue Reef Aquarium for specialized care. Additionally, the team conducted a daring rescue operation to save eight dolphins stranded in the mud at Mylor Bridge. This diversification of their efforts underscores the organization’s commitment to the broader well-being of marine life beyond seals.
“I have been lucky to be involved in several successful refloats of stranded dolphins,” she said as she looked back on her career. “It is so important if anyone comes across a stranded marine mammal that they call for trained responders.”
“The Animal Action Awards are our long-standing commitment to honor and herald the animal heroes that make an impact,” Azzedine Downes, President and CEO, IFAW, stated when she spoke on the occasion as they presented Lizzi with the award. “I’m thrilled we are now able to showcase inspiring people from all across the globe – from all different walks of life.”
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