Two trapped and stranded seals Hartlepool docks rescued by the RSPCA
Both seals were returned to sea
Two seals which became trapped and stranded in separate incidents at Hartlepool docks were rescued by the RSPCA and returned to the sea.
In the first incident a woman spotted a stranded seal pup which had become stuck on the pier near the RNLI building, in Ferry Road, and had no clear access back to the sea - which was about 200 yards away.
The woman monitored the pup from a safe distance but realising the seal was unable to return to the sea so she reported the matter to the RSPCA.
Inspector Clare Wilson was sent to the incident, on Monday January 3, and could see the young pup had ventured a distance down the pier and seemed unable to make it back into the water so went to rescue her.
Clare said: “I could see her anxious mum waiting in the sea and knew she was really going to struggle to return to her so I gave her a helping hand by safely rescuing her.
“I then relocated her to a nearby slipway and she was able to wander off back to the sea and to her mum whose head kept bobbing up and down as she looked for her.
“It was such a heart-warming moment.”
Then on Sunday (9 January) animal rescuer Inspector Steph Baines was also sent to the same area to rescue a common seal pup which had become trapped between rocks in the sea defence wall.
Steph said: “The seal had really caught itself between a rock and a hard place and was unable to free himself.
“Thankfully British Divers Marine Life Rescue were also at the scene so between us we were able to rescue him and then we returned him to a nearby quieter beach and we watched as he made his way back to the sea.
“It was a great team effort and always rewarding to have such a successful conclusion.”
The RSPCA advises the public not to approach seals as these are wild animals and can have a nasty bite. If you are concerned about a seal, observe from a distance. Please keep other animals, such as dogs, away from the animal, and never try to return the seal to the water yourself.
If you have observed the seal for at least 24 hours and are concerned about it please contact the RSPCA for advice on 0300 1234 999. If you are concerned about a pup or if the pup looks sick or injured, or is on a busy public beach, stay at a safe distance and also contact the RSPCA’s emergency line.