Seal released after six years trapped in plastic ring
Volunteers had not been able to catch him to help until this weekend
Cornish rescuers have finally managed to free a seal who'd been trapped in a blue plastic ring for six year.
The Seal Research Trust had been tracking the seal, nickname Commuter for his regular trips up and down the North Coast, but had never been able to catch him to help because he'd always chosen inaccessible locations that made a rescue attempt by British Divers Marine Life Rescue impossible on safety grounds.
But that all changed on Saturday the 14th of January, when SRT surveyor Andy Rogers spotted him high on the beach with a small number of of other seals and an outgoing tide.
He reported this to BDMLR, and after assessing the circumstances and logistics involved, urgent preparation for a rescue attempt began.
A team of experienced handlers and specialist equipment were needed to be able to catch and control Commuter safely on land.
If at any point he had gone into the sea, a rescue would have been impossible.
Sue Sayer MBE, Director of SRT said: “w"aiting for a rescue to be organised is hugely stressful. Despite Andy’s best efforts to speak to visitors and explain the situation’s need for caution, people on the clifftop still managed to disturb the seals below on three occasions.
"Over the next couple of hours, a third of the seals stampeded into the sea to get away from the perceived threat and Andy’s optimism for a possible rescue was dwindling. Luckily, Commuter remained sleeping, so the first opportunity to rescue him in six years was not lost.”
BDMLR Area Coordinator Dan Jarvis stated: “when our team of Medics arrived, circumstances were perfect. It was low tide, meaning access was at its easiest for us with all the equipment we needed, including a cargo net, herd boards and a stretcher. We had Medics assist Andy on the clifftop raising awareness of what was happening to prevent further disturbance incidents, while a team of six Medics stealthily accessed the cove.”
“As there were still a few other seals on the beach, we had to focus on Commuter as the group became aware of us approaching and began heading for the sea. Using the cargo net we blocked his escape, while a herd board was used to safely keep two other adult males away from him and the rescue team. After a standoff, we were able to wrap Commuter in the net to slow him down, then placed the stretcher on top to safely restrain him so his entanglement and injury could be assessed.”
The team found that the plastic ring around his neck (a carelessly discarded anti foul paint tin seal) had not cut in as deeply as feared.
After the ring was snipped off with bolt cutters, the encircling wound with minor infection was assessed, cleaned out and he was deemed fit to be released.
Commuter was freed and took off into the water at a rate of knots! He didn’t go far, as he was soon spotted bottling (resting) in the water just offshore, apparently no worse for wear from his ordeal and hopefully feeling substantially better without his constant neck compression.
Andy Rogers added: “I am so happy. I would like to thank everyone involved in this major operation. Not only was it a huge success for Commuter after more than six years entangled, but also for the BDMLR rescue team who were able to catch their first ‘healthy’ adult male seal using a new technique.
"Members of SRT and BDMLR can now look forward to seeing Commuter in the future without an entanglement and track the progressive healing of his injury in the saltwater environment. Well done for a great team effort and a miraculous rescue!”