GSPCA rescues seal pup hurt by discarded netting

A seal pup has been rescued and taken in by the GSPCA after it was found with severe wounds caused by netting.

The GSPCA said its team was called to the shoreline near the Fairy Ring on the south coast of Guernsey after the young male pup was spotted with netting tightly embedded around his neck.

The pup, estimated at about 30kg (66lb) in weight and only a couple of months old, was taken to the vets where it was untangled and received urgent treatment.

The GSPCA has invited members of the public to suggest name ideas for the pup, which is settling into its temporary seal facilities.

Head of marine mammals Geoff George said he was "incredibly proud of the team" involved in the rescue.

"Yet again we are seeing the devastating impact that discarded netting and marine waste has on our local wildlife," he said.

"This poor pup was in a truly terrible state when we reached him, and without today's rescue he would not have survived."

The latest rescue has joined six other grey seal pups at the GSPCA - three of which are nearly ready for release back into the wild.

• Keep your distance – seal pups frighten easily and can be vulnerable.
• Do not attempt to return it to the sea – pups often rest on land and forcing them into the water can be fatal.
• Keep dogs on leads and away from the area.
• Call the GSPCA immediately on 01481 257261 or the GSPCA emergency number 07781 104074.
• Provide the exact location and, if safe, a photograph to help assess the situation.

Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.