A grey seal with a plastic flying ring deeply embedded in his neck has been rescued from a Norfolk beach and is being cared for in West Norfolk.
The severely ill seal, called Hades, was caught on Horsey Beach in Norfolk on Saturday (23) in a joint rescue operation between local charities Friends of Horsey Seals and Marine and Wildlife Rescue.
The large adult male grey seal was then rushed to the RSPCA’s East Winch Wildlife Centre near King’s Lynn,, where staff and the centre’s vet battled to remove the blue plastic flying ring, which was deeply embedded in his neck, causing a severe wound which was infected.
Sadly Hades is one of 11 seals already this year that have been taken to East Winch Wildlife Centre with objects entangled around their necks – even more have been dealt with by rescuers in situ on the beaches.
As with all seals who suffer entanglements, Hades was exhausted and underweight. Now the flying ring has been carefully removed by the RSPCA vets, he will be given regular salt baths to help heal the wound as well as antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.
Evangelos Achilleos, centre manager said: “We have had a real spate of entangled seals being brought to us after they have been found with items entangled around their neck – it is really worrying how many we have had to help this year already.
“Hades’s injury is very concerning and it has caused just the most awful injury.
“It is always touch and go for the first few days with any entangled seal, because once the obstruction is removed a seal can then suffer from the toxins that start to spread in their body.”
