A seal pup is being given loving care and attention in his new surroundings after being rescued from Saltburn beach.
The grey pup was found stranded on the beach by a member of the public on Monday. It was underweight and concerns were raised for its welfare.
As a result, the three-week-old seal was rescued by a volunteer from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR).
It has since been taken to Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary in Lincolnshire where experts will care for the pup until he is well enough to be released back into the wild.
A spokeswoman for the sanctuary said that the young seal is settling in well and is currently being kept in isolation until he is ready to be introduced to others of the same age, given access to a warm pool and encouraged to eat.
“He is being fed three times a day at the moment and when he put on more wight he will go into a pool with other seals.
“When he gets heavier again and finishes his medication he will go into another pool not in the hospital, before being put into a deeper pool.
“We will then release him back into the wild. This will be in a bout six to nine months.”
The seal weighed 13.5 kilograms when he was found - “far too thin and underweight for his age”.
Seal pups stay with their mothers until they are weaned at about three weeks old.
After that they are left alone to take care of themselves. While most are fine, some struggle and once they become dehydrated they end up on beaches and are in danger from dogs and people.
If you wish to report an marine animal that you are concerned about or have a general enquiry about the BDMLR, call 01825 765546.
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