World of the Bizarre

Stranded seal found 20 miles from the ocean

By T.K. Randall
December 23, 2014 ·  22 comments

Grey seals are not well adapted for traveling long distances on land. Image Credit: PD - Boyd Amanda The misplaced seal was discovered by a local dog walker in the countryside near Newton-le-Willows in north-west England which is more than twenty miles from the coast.

It isn't clear exactly how it got there but local wildlife officials have suggested that it may have traveled up a nearby brook.Police officers and animal rescuers urged members of the public not to approach the animal in case it turned aggressive.

"Police and fire officers, with the help of a local farmer, have herded the seal on to an RSPCA trailer," Merseyside police said in a statement. "Its condition is described as being exhausted and has now been taken to the RSPCA's wildlife hospital in Stapeley Grange, Nantwich, for assessment."

The nearest grey seal colony is near Hilbre Island in the Dee estuary more than fifty miles away.

"We think he's come from the Mersey area, which is tidal, and he's come up the bank here and he's got lost," said Rachael Fraser of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue Service. "It's very unusual."


Source: The Guardian | Comments (22)

Tags: Seal, Stranded