Seal rescued from Norfolk beach after becoming trapped in fishing net released back into the sea
Cargol's been cared for by the RSPCA
A seal who was rescued from a Norfolk beach with a mass of fishing netting entangled and embedded in his neck has been released back to the wild by the RSPCA.
Cargol the large grey seal was released at Horsey Beach on Tuesday (February 13) much to the delight of his rescuers.
He was rescued on Waxham Beach in Norfolk on December 28 last year, in a joint rescue operation between local charities Friends of Horsey Seals and Marine and Wildlife Rescue.
The large adult male grey seal was rushed to the RSPCA’s East Winch Wildlife Centre where veterinary staff worked to remove the netting which was deeply embedded in his neck, causing a severe, infected wound.
Now, just over two months since he was rescued, Cargol, who now weighs around 115kgs, has been released back to the wild, watched on by rescuers from the charities and members of the public visiting the area.
"He's been quite a feisty patient"
Evangelos Achilleos,Wildlife Centre Manager said: “It was great that we were able to release Cargol back to the sea and that his rescuers were there to watch him head into the water.
“He’s been quite a feisty patient - and had a lot of attitude - so we think he will do well now he’s back in the wild. We think he’s about four to five years-old, and he weighed 97kg when he first arrived and now we think he’s around 115kg.
“His fighting spirit has helped him recover in record time and it’s great that we have been able to return him home so quickly.
“As always his success story is down to a real team effort from the rescuers who managed to catch him on the beach - all the vets, staff and volunteers at East Winch and to the public who have been so generous in their donations of salt to help with his recovery.
“We were once again just over the moon with the generosity of our supporters and so want to say a huge thank you to all of them - we couldn’t do it without them.”
"Seeing Cargol go back to the wild is rewarding"
Dan Goldsmith from Marine and Wildlife Rescue said: “We continue to receive calls to assist record numbers of entangled seals. The various plastic and netting that impacts on the seals is a threat to all wildlife.
“We are saddened about the ongoing situation with debris ending up in the sea. What makes our efforts worthwhile however is seeing the release of a seal like Cargol after successful rehabilitation.
“We know that most of these seals would suffer a slow and painful decline and eventual death without intervention. Seeing Cargol go back to the wild is rewarding to our colleagues and ourselves.”