Seal found injured on Sussex beach released back into the wild
Hubble has been nursed back to full health by an RSPCA team
Last updated 13th May 2021
A sick seal rescued from Camber Sands beach has returned to the sea after being cared for by the RSPCA.
One-year-old Hubble was discovered with blood on his face back in April and has since been treated for lungworm and rehabilitated at the Mallydams Wood Wildlife Centre in Hastings.
After a month of being expertly treated and cared for by the vets and wildlife rehabilitation experts at the centre, she was released at Pett Level beach near Hastings on Wednesday (May 12th).
RSPCA Wildlife Rehabilitation Team Manager at Mallydams, Richard Thompson said:
“Hubble was a very sick seal with lungworm when she was admitted last month, after Camber Sands beach patrol reported her plight to the RSPCA.
"I’m very proud of our Mallydams team, who have cared for her with such expertise and got her to the point where she is well enough to be released back to the wild.
“2,510 mammals and birds, ranging from fox cubs and hedgehogs, to owls and gulls, were admitted to the centre last year, including 47 seals.
"Our priority at RSPCA Mallydams is - where possible - for wildlife to be returned to the wild, where they belong.”
Not all seals seen along the coastline are in need of rescue as it’s normal for them to come out of the water to rest, and the public are urged to keep themselves and their dogs well away for their own safety as well as the seal’s.
The RSPCA advises that if there are concerns for a seal but no obvious signs of injury, it should be observed from a distance for 24 hours.
If it hasn’t moved on after a day, or if there are obvious signs of injury, then please call the RSPCA’s emergency line on 0300 1234 999 to report the incident.