Seal 'strangling to death' by a fishing net finally rescued after four months

A seal entangled in a green fishing net has finally been freed after a four-month operation in Cornwall.

The grey seal was first spotted by Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust in May and efforts were made over several weeks to track him down.

He became known as 'Lucky Star' in the hope someone would find him and remove the net.

Appeals were posted on social media, with one receiving 250,000 hits from concerned members of the public.

This is the second attempt to rescue 'Lucky Star', after he scared back into the sea by noisy onlookers, when he came ashore in August.

He was eventually saved on Monday (1 October) where it took an experienced climber and two other people to reach him.

He was being strangled by three strands of thick rope but once these were removed he was released back into the sea.

Last year more than 100 entangled seals were recorded in Cornwall. Lucky Star's experience comes after a worldwide focus on fighting plastic pollution and protecting marine wildlife.