Musical seal released back into the wild

Pup travels far from home

A grey seal pup who swam from Cornwall to Pembrokeshire in just four days is now back in the wild. 

Muse was hydrated and underweight after covering a distance of around 120 km at St Brides Bay in December. He's been cared for by staff at RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre in Taunton for the past few months.

The poorly pup was released alongside five other seals, which have also been named after iconic music acts and bands including Jimi Hendrix, Lewis Capaldi, Run DMC, Kate Nash, and Oxford Comma.  This year's theme for the centre is singers and bands.

Ryan Walker has been a key part of Muse's recovery and said, "It was absolutely wonderful to see, along with the group of seals, go back to where they belong.  They had all been admitted, either with injuries or underweight, and we've spent the time needed to get them back to full health and at a weight fit for release.  As always, success stories are down to the real team effort from the rescuers, all the vets, staff, and volunteers".

It costs the centre an average of £1,400 a week for their food and veterinary care during recovery, which typically runs from September to March.

The RSPCA has advised members of the public who spot a seal on the beach to keep their distance and not approach seals, which are wild animals and have a nasty bite if they feel threatened.

You should also keep dogs on leads on the beach if a seal is present.