Seal who was trapped in a frisbee is re-released into the wild

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A seal named Sir David, who was found with a plastic ring around his neck has been released back into the wild.

He has been cared for by RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre for the last two months

The grey seal was caught on Horsey Beach in Norfolk on April 3 in a joint rescue operation between local charities Friends of Horsey Seals and Marine and Wildlife Rescue.

And today, two months since he was rescued, he was released back to the wild at Winterton Beach in Norfolk, watched on by rescuers from all three charities and members of the public.

The large adult male grey seal was rushed to the RSPCA’s East Winch Wildlife Centre where staff and the centre’s vet removed the yellow plastic toy, which was deeply embedded in his neck, causing a severe wound which was infected and covered with blood.

Sir David was exhausted and severely emaciated and weighed just 125kg. He was given regular salt baths - generously funded by the public who donated more than £4,000 to the cost of rehabilitation at the centre as well as 33 bags of 25kgs of salt via the Amazon wish list.

Alison Charles, centre manager at East Winch, said: “We have been really pleased at how well his wounds healed and we would like to thank all the members of the public who have donated bags of salt to his care as they have been a vital part of his rehabilitation.

“When we were confident that his wound was clean and free from infection, we took the decision to move Sir David to our outside pool. There he was able to continue to recover and also build up his fitness and strength.

“It was all about good nutrition and time. We built up his strength by throwing his fish one at a time at each end of his pool so that he had to exercise and stretch his neck to keep his healing scar tissue from becoming restricted. In order for him to feed in the wild he needs to be able to extend his neck.”

Alison added:

Sir David’s story echoes two very similar rescues of other seals who both had frisbees embedded in their neck.

One of those seals, called Pinkafo, was rescued in December and she was released back to the wild in May.

And in September 2017, another grey seal, later dubbed Mrs Frisbee, was also rescued and admitted to RSPCA East Winch with a yellow plastic frisbee cutting deeply into her neck.

If you see an animal you have concerns about please call the RSPCA's emergency line on 0300 1234 999. Do not attempt to capture or handle an injured seal. For more information on what to do with injured wild animals, visit the RSPCA’s website at: https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/wildlife/injuredanimals