A TEAM has rescued two young seals, that were found with several wounds, on Hastings beach.
Sussex Police, British Divers Marine Life and Sussex Outlook Team, a Hastings-based organisation that supports the local community, came to the aid of the seals at 2pm on March 20.
The rescue operation was completed at 8pm and the animals were crated and safely transported to RSPCA Mallydams Wood Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre for medical assessment.
Hastings Police wrote on their Facebook page: “We responded to a call from Hastings beach for a mission that was anything but ordinary.
“We encountered a young seal pup stranded ashore. As we made efforts to ensure the safety of the public and the seal, we found another seal in distress nearby.
“In collaboration with Laura and Katie from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), we secured the area to minimise any additional stress for the seals and provided support in carefully getting the seals into a crate, before ensuring their safe journey to Mallydams.
Video from Sussex Lookout Team’s Facebook page.
“We urge the public to exercise caution and maintain a respectful distance should they come across seals or any marine mammals in distress.
“This is vital to prevent exacerbating their condition. For immediate assistance, please contact the BDMLR on 01825 765546. Their rescue hotline operates around the clock to ensure the well-being of our marine wildlife.”
Mallydams Wood said the two seals were exhausted with wounds on their flippers when they received the patients.
They wrote on their Facebook page: “This was a good example of cooperation between charities and the police.
“We received information about a poorly seal on Hastings beach, but that it was being attended to by another organisation already.
“We were asked if we had hospital space, and luckily we did, so started preparing for a new arrival.
“Both British Divers Marine Life Rescue and East Sussex WRAS were down at Hastings assessing a seal’s condition, both thinking they were with the animal in question, but shockingly, there were actually two different seals only 200 metres from each other.
“They arrived and were both completely exhausted, with various wounds to their flippers and body.
“One of them is a young juvenile from this year, possibly born in Essex or France, and the other is at least a year old.
“They have been receiving regular fluid therapy from our wildlife assistants, and have been started on antibiotics. We hope they will perk up soon.
“Big thanks to the teams involved in assessing, rescuing and transporting the seals to us for help.
“It’s important to work alongside other animal welfare organisations to provide the best possible outcome for each patient.”
