Campaign to relocate Cornish seal to remote Scotland because she's too used to humans
Spearmint has been regularly fed by tourists and even ventures onto roads
A crowdfunding appeal has been launched to help try and relocate a Cornish seal to somewhere remote like the Scottish isles.
Spearmint arrived in the Cawsand area last year and has become very accustomed to humans.
The Rame Wildlife Rescue Network and Rame Seal Team say she has been regularly fed by tourists in the area and has even started venturing across roads.
The team says: "Spearmint is a wild seal who, through no fault of her own, has become habituated to humans. Although at a young age she needed to be rehabilitated her interest in humans grew once released as she was fed regularly by tourists.
"After multiple relocations she found Cawsand Bay where a team of volunteers were able to control the situation better and keep people away. We all hoped she would re-wild but upon discovering Plymouth this became more difficult and the feeding began once more and bad habits remained. She more recently started to come onto roads and was becoming a real risk to herself and others.
"Now with Easter upon us and more people about it was decided to uplift her to the wonderful RSPCA Westhatch. They are now assessing what the next best move will be."
The team believe the best thing for Spearmint would be to relocate her somewhere remote, like the Scottish Isles, where she can safely live a wild life without the distraction of humans.
There are questions about her welfare on such a long trip, so the team says that flying would be a better option. This is estimated to cost around £5,000 so a campaign has been launched to try and raise the funds. It has already hit its target and the team are now aiming for £8,000 which will go towards her care.
You can find the Crowdfunder page here.
The Rame Wildlife Rescue Network say the only other option would be for her to spend the rest of her life in captivity.
The Crowdfunder page reads: "There is still some uncertainty in her future and to ensure the RSPCA make an informed decision, knowing that this beautiful seal has the support and backing of a wonderful community who have grown to love her please donate to help cover these costs.
"All money raised will go towards providing Spearmint the Seal the best possible solution for her going forwards. Any left over money will be evenly divided between the RSPCA and BDMLR for their fantastic work with wild grey seals.
"North Atlantic Grey Seals are a globally rare species and we are incredibly lucky to have a large proportion here in the UK.
"Please consider making a donation quickly so any action taken is fast avoiding any lengthy stay in captivity for Spearmint.
"Any decision made about Spearmints future will be down to the RSPCA and BDMLR who are the lead organisations for this. We just hope that this gesture will help towards making the right choices for her.
"We estimate that the cost of flying Spearmint to Scotland and relocating would be £5000. We will amend the amount as we find out more information."