On 16 January, British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) Marine Mammal Medics responded to an urgent call-out in Suffolk, following reports to the Hotline of a large seal pup heavily entangled in lost fishing net.
On arrival, Medics met with local council workers who also supported the response by helping to keep members of the public at a safe distance, preventing disturbance to the seal and reducing the risk of it moving away or becoming further stressed.
Using specialist rescue equipment, the seal pup was successfully caught and assessed, allowing Medics to carefully remove as much loose entanglement material as possible. Examination revealed multiple wounds across the body, consistent with netting cutting into the skin.
The majority of the netting was removed during the initial response. However, the tightest constricting section of material around the pup’s neck could not be safely removed at the scene. Where entanglement is deeply embedded in a seal’s neck, rapid removal can cause serious complications, including profuse bleeding, additional tissue trauma, and shock. For this reason, full removal is often safest in a controlled veterinary setting, where it can be loosened gradually with pain relief, close monitoring, and any immediate treatment can be provided.
Following consultation with East Winch Wildlife Centre, who kindly confirmed capacity to receive the animal, the pup was relayed north to Norfolk for veterinary treatment and rehabilitation. Once fully recovered from his injuries and is fit for release, the young seal will be released back in to the wild.
BDMLR would like to thank everyone involved in this response, particularly the members of the public who reported the pup promptly, kept their distance to avoid disturbance, and helped guide Medics to the site, as well as the local council for supporting safe public management during the rescue.
Photographs by Anna Legge, Steve Hills, Rhys Brown
