Seal pup entangled in fishing line rescued and treated near Robin Hood's Bay

A seal pup which had been injured after being entangled in fishing line has been rescued and treated near Robin Hood's Bay.
The seal returning to the sea after treatment. Picture from BDLMR video.The seal returning to the sea after treatment. Picture from BDLMR video.
The seal returning to the sea after treatment. Picture from BDLMR video.

On May 13, a member of the public called the welfare and rescue charity British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) to report a juvenile seal that was entangled.

Marine mammal medics were dispatched to the scene to locate the seal and assess its injuries.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Marine mammal medic Matt Barnes said: “We soon came across a group of seals and pinpointed a bloodied individual with a nasty ligature wound to its neck."

Due to the seriousness of the pup’s condition, intervention was needed to prevent the fishing line from cutting any deeper and further endangering its life.

The seal was caught and restrained whilst the line was removed and a medicated spray applied.

After further assessment and the seal being of a satisfactory weight it was released again onsite where it is hoped it will make a full recovery.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Matt explained: “Grey seals are inquisitive marine mammals and will often examine and interact with man-made items and litter in and along our coastline often to their detriment.

"Entanglement cases and marine pollution are on the rise along our coasts with plastics being implicated in the vast majority of cases.

"Without vigilant reporting from the public and intervention from trained organisations like ourselves animals can suffer a miserable and protracted decline.”

The BDMLR urges all coastal visitors to remove coastal litter where possible and to give wildlife the space it needs.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

If you do come across a marine mammal in difficulty call the BDLMR 24 hour hotline on 01825765546.

Anyone interested in joining Yorkshires team of Marine Mammal Medics can find more detail online at www.bdmlr.org.uk.