Seal pup with 'fascinating' story released back into the wild

A seal pup who travelled 120km from Cornwall to the west coast of Wales has been released after being nursed back to full health.

The grey seal, affectionately known as Muse, was found dehydrated and underweight when he was spotted on the rocks at St Brides Bay in Pembrokeshire.

After being found, Muse was cared for by RSPCA staff members in Somerset where he has tripled in size since the rescue.

Ellie West, from the RSCPA, said Muse's story was a "fascinating one", adding she was "delighted" that he was healthy enough to be released back into the wild.

Muse was fully weaned when he was was found in a thin condition on 11 December.

West attended the location and said she had concerns about him immediately as he had "obvious rolls of skin" that should have been filled with blubber.

"When I initially assessed him, little did I know that he had travelled such a long way in such a short time."

The seal had been checked by the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) four days earlier and was marked as being located at Port Gaverne, in Cornwall.

West said it was a "really long swim for a young pup" resulting in Muse losing a considerable amount of weight on his journey.

Ryan Walker, a wildlife supervisor at the RSPCA, said the seal was "underweight and with a possible respiratory infection" when he arrived at their centre.

But with the support of West and her team, Muse had consistently gained weight - showing he can compete with other seals for his share of the fish.

"His last weight was measured at 41.5kg (6st 7lb) - nearly tripling in size since he was picked up on the beach," Walker added.

Muse was released in Devon on 8 April alongside five other seals rescued by BDMLR.

Singers and bands was the theme at the West Hatch Animal Centre this year, with the other aptly named Jimi Hendrix, Lewis Capaldi, Run DMC, Kate Nash and Oxford Comma.

Walker said it was "wonderful" to see Muse and the other seals "going back to where they belong".

"They had all been admitted with injuries, were unwell or were underweight, and we have spent the time needed to get them back to full health.

"As always, their success stories are down to a real team effort from the rescuers, all the vets, staff and volunteers," he added.

The RSPCA advises people to observe seals from a distance and keep dogs on leads when using beaches that have seal colonies.

West said it was "not unusual" to see a seal pup on its own very early on in life as their mothers leave them to find food.

"If they have a long white coat of fur they are most likely still dependent on mum and likely still suckling," she said.

"Our main message is if they look in distress or unwell please call it in."