A woman who oversees a hospital for injured seals in Cornwall, a picturesque and windy seaside city, also volunteers to save various marine creatures. She was recently recognized for her extraordinary efforts with the Animal Action Award. Lizzi Larbalestier, a volunteer for British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), converted her Airbnb into a temporary animal hospital and cared for injured seals for nine months. She, her husband, and other volunteers decided it was insufficient and started from scratch to construct a fully operational seal hospital in Cornwall. The couple's home facility had six pens, but the new site has 10. Entering their third breeding season, Larbalestier anticipates receiving about 100 seals annually for rehabilitation. The previous year, they received 3,000 calls to assist with wounded or displaced marine species. Some need immediate medical attention after being brought in with injuries from boats or fishing equipment. Some are pups who have been separated from their parents; others are young animals who were unsuccessful hunters and would have died from severe malnourishment.

Substantiation of her Work: 

Lizzi highlights that everyone on the team contributes to the daily tasks and that every volunteer is "critical" to BDMLR's efforts to save the maritime environment."Any volunteer medics can rescue the pups, and if needed, we bring them to the hospital so a veterinarian can examine them and develop a treatment plan," the woman stated. "It takes a true team effort to ensure pups receive the best care; we have clear protocols for that."After their rescue, we provide these animals with vital treatment, which helps to stabilize the puppies and get them ready to go to larger rehabilitation facilities.

Sensitivity of Work: 

President and CEO of IFAW, said, "The Animal Action Awards are our long-standing commitment to honor and herald the animal heroes that make an impact." This kind of appreciation leads to self-actualization needs in life and further motivates the person to stay driven by self-belief. Lizzi reports that although the BDMLR( British Divers Marine Life Rescue) volunteer team primarily rescues seals, they also respond to calls regarding various marine animals, such as "cetaceans" (whales, dolphins, and porpoises). It was a tremendous team effort under trying conditions, she said. But I'm going to help them no matter what!