3rd December 2006

Seal Pup Mystery

Read more: Wildlife Charity | Comments (0)

A seal pup found by the side of a country lane, miles from the coast or the nearest river, is being cared for by the RSPCA.

The seal, believed to be a male common seal pup, was reported to the RSPCA after he was found by a woman and her daughter at the side of a country lane near the village of Capernwray, Lancashire.

The passers-by loaded the seal into their car and took him to a nearby farm for safety.

"We can't understand how he got there," said RSPCA animal collection officer (ACO) Nick Green, who collected the pup. "Wild seals don't like being around humans at all, but this one seemed really quite tame, which suggests he could have been a pet.

"When I arrived to collect him he was sitting in a stable on some straw," explains ACO Green. "He was found in the middle of a farming community, nowhere near the sea. It's bizarre. There are no main roads nearby. The sea and the nearest river are a long way from the spot where he was found."

The pup has been taken to the RSPCA's Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre to be cared for. It is hoped that he will be released back into the wild as soon as he is strong enough.

The RSPCA urges members of the public never to pick up seal pups, but to call the Society for assistance. Anyone with any information about this seal should call the RSPCA cruelty and advice line on 0870 55 55 999.