Cute Baby Seal Rescue: Narrow Escape From Rocks | Pen Online

by Mark Thompson
A baby seal was rescued after becoming stuck between rocks.

A young seal pup was successfully rescued from a tight spot on Westray Island,part of Scotland’s Orkney Islands,after a multi-day effort. Teh dramatic rescue highlights the challenges faced by wildlife navigating coastal defenses.

A Bitingly Difficult Rescue

The seal pup, discovered on Thursday evening, initially resisted help with a surprising amount of attitude.

The discovery occurred near rock armor – protective rocks installed along the coastline in the Lapnes district – and was reported by a passerby. The following day, a team from British Divers and Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) arrived, assisted by local fish farmers, to carry out the operation. despite the picturesque seaside setting, the rescue proved surprisingly difficult.

According to Tom Hadley of BDMLR, the seal pup was remarkably feisty from the start.”Even when faced with the rescue team, it didn’t even say ‘thank you’ but instead kept its attitude of seriously trying to bite,” Hadley noted.

Hadley explained to BBC Radio Scotland: “seals have a very strong bite force. In this case, we used teamwork to get a human in a position where they wouldn’t get bitten, while another person waved a towel to distract the seal.” The pup,understandably confused,seemed to perceive the rescuers as attackers,leading to a rather one-sided scolding of the volunteers despite their good intentions.

However, the baby seal was ultimately captured safely and, after a health assessment, found to be in excellent condition. “It was a really plump, strong little seal,” Hadley said. Once calmed, the pup appeared bewildered, seemingly asking, “What was going on just now?”

Seal Rescues are Increasingly Common

This incident marks the second seal rescue for BDMLR in Orkney within just one week, suggesting a growing need for these types of interventions.

[Video]Even her angry face is cute… A rescued baby seal.

  • Seals possess a remarkably strong bite force, requiring careful handling during rescues.
  • Rock armor, designed to protect coastlines, can inadvertently create hazards for marine life.
  • BDMLR relies on the assistance of local communities,including fish farmers,for triumphant rescues.
Seal Pups & Mothers – seal pups are typically nursed by their mothers for several weeks, gaining significant weight during this period. Mothers will often leave pups on land while foraging for food, returning periodically to nurse.

What should you do if you find a stranded seal? Experts advise keeping a safe distance and contacting BDMLR or a local wildlife rescue institution promptly.Do not attempt to approach or handle the animal yourself.

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