British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) were alerted to a Grey Seal on Hove Beach on Monday afternoon. Local medics attended to keep crowds under control but they noticed some puncture wounds to one of the rear flippers.

They called in assistance from East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) to help with the rescue, transportation and treatment. Advanced Medic Trevor Weeks caught the seal on the beach and got the seal safely into a transportation crate.

"The seal was definitely in need of treatment for the wounds but was rather feisty" said Trevor.

The seal was transported to East Sussex WRAS's hospital at Whitesmith near Lewes, where it was tubed, had its wounds cleaned and given medication.

WRAS only has facilities to hold seals overnight and they normally go to RSPCA Mallydams Wood at Hastings where there are specialist facilities for seals. Unfortunately Mallydams are full so BDMLR phoned round to find another facility, the nearest being South Essex Wildlife Hospital.

After a further tubing the seal was transported the following morning to Essex to its new home for treatment.

"Grey Seals are not that common on the East Sussex, Brighton & Hove coast line. We do see them from time to time and we rescue a grey once every couple of years normally, but to get two in three days in unusual" said Trevor, "we really are not sure quite what is going on and why we are suddenly getting so many popping up on our local beachs, which have also included at least two other Grey seals which have been moulting."

If anyone sees a seal on the beach which they are concerned about they are urged to call BDMLR on 01825 765546.

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