Dehydrated seal rescued after travelling 120km

A grey seal pup is receiving specialist care after he was found dehydrated and underweight following a 120km (75 miles) journey.

The RSPCA said the seal was found at St Brides Bay in Pembrokeshire, Wales, after a four-day journey from Cornwall.

It was spotted on rocks on 11 December fully weaned but in thin condition.

The seal was removed from the beach and after immediate care including electrolyte fluids and fish via tubes before being taken to RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre in Taunton, Somerset, where the seal was named Muse.

Ellie West, RSPCA animal rescue and wildlife officer, said: "The pup was dehydrated and in a thin body condition with obvious rolls of skin that should have been filled with fat/blubber."

She said she noticed marks on the seals back that were similar to spray marks the RSPCA put on seals after they were assessed but these were a different colour.

She contacted the British Divers Marine Life Rescue which confirmed it had marked the seal when it was checked on 7 December at Port Gaverne, north Cornwall.

"In the four days after this, he made his way to St Brides Bay - travelling basically in a straight line - and covering a distance of around 120km," she said.

"This is a really long swim for a young pup."

"I'm pleased to say Muse is doing really well and is feeding well and is gaining the weight he needs," said West.

Each seal pup rehabilitated at RSPCA West Hatch can remain in care at the centre for a number of months.

West said: "Hopefully it won't be too long until Muse will be ready to be released back into the wild."

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