In mid May WRAS received a call about a seal on the beach just east of Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne. On arrival rescuers were surprised that the seal was a Grey Seal and fit and healthy. Over the next 10 days WRAS working closely with British Divers Marine Life Rescue set up a watch on the seal to keep him safe. The seal moved across to Eastbourne Beach then on to Seaford beach where he stayed for 6 days. A group of school children visiting the Seaford beach wanted to name the seal 'Trevor'!
Tag Archives: BDMLR
Hope Gap Seal Rescue
Joint Press Statement from British Divers Marine Life Rescue and East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service.
A seal was reported on the beach on Sunday 28th April just east of the Hope Gap Steps, which are located just west of the Cuckmere Haven at Seaford. The initial report was of a healthy seal sunning itself. A second report came in half an hour later reporting a 4ft seal injured on the beach with blood on its rear flippers . I attended on site after speaking to BDMLR's Out-of-Hours Co-ordinator. On arrival we found Sussex Police on site due to concerns for public safety. We were rather surprised to find a 7ft long 250kg adult grey seal which do not normally haul out on the East Sussex coast line. The seal was also a long way from the tide and had hauled out at the high tide mark which is unusual for an adult. Unable to get a vet on site Sunday night, the seal was monitored till dark for the animal's and public safety, and volunteer medics returned at first light on 29th April where after a search of the area was found quarter of a mile west of the steps at Hope Gap.
Teamwork leads to rescue and release of swan caught in fishing line at Lewes
Worried residents contacted East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) after spotting a swan on the River Ouse at Lewes with fishing line hanging out of its mouth and attached to fishing weights.
Rescuers attended on site on Monday 22nd but were unable to catch the swan from the bank, so asked British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) if they would help provide a boat for the rescue. As the tide was low, the charities planned a rescue for the morning of Tuesday 23rd April. Overnight the weights came loose and disappeared, but it was clear from the swan's behaviour that there was something wrong.
Seal rescued on Eastbourne Beach
East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) was called out by British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) late on Sunday night after a seal was reported on the beach at Langney Point, Eastbourne.
Trevor Weeks MBE founder of WRAS and an advanced medic with BDMLR met members of BDMLR on the beach who had been keeping guard of the seal until Trevor and his partner Kathy Martyn arrived. Trevor caught the seal on the beach, and checked it over and found numerous puncture marks and blood on the body, front and rear flippers and on the muzzle.
Harbour Seal Rescued at St Leonards, East Sussex
At 1am Friday morning I received a called from a lady on St Leonards beach, East Sussex via East Sussex WRAS's rescue line. I alerted Alex Levine BDMLR's Out of Hours Co-ordinator and a text message was sent out to BDMLR medics across East Sussex. Local experienced Medic Stephen Marsh got dressed and headed out whilst myself and partner Kathy Martyn drove across from Uckfield.
Seal spotted in Cuckmere River
Rescue organisations have received numerous calls to a seal in the river Cuckmere. People concerned about the animals welfare have phoned British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) and East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS).
Six calls were received over the weekend and several over the past week too.