A desperate seal owes its life to dedicated rescuers after they freed it from a deadly fishing net.
The poor creature became tangled in a section of monofilament – a single thread or strand most commonly made from nylon for fishing lines.
A well-meaning passer-by tried to cut it free but as the seal bolted back into the water, the net snagged on a mussel bed, leaving it anchored in place and unable to escape.
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Specialists from British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) scrambled to the scene at an undisclosed beach in west Cornwall on Sunday (12 Oct).
They managed to save the animal just in time, as reported by Need To Know.
A BDMLR spokesperson said: “If the tide were coming in the seal would have drowned.
“Thankfully the tide dropped enough for BDMLR medics to reach it safely.
“The team carried out a careful capture and set to work cutting away the debris wound tightly around its neck.
“Miraculously, there were no deep injuries with only a clear impression where the net had been.
“Any longer and the material would have begun cutting through the seal’s skin and tissue.
“Once the seal had been thoroughly checked and confirmed to be in good condition it was released back into the sea.
“It was free once again thanks to the swift response of our medics and a vital call to our hotline.
“This incident serves as a powerful reminder of how dangerous discarded, lost or abandoned fishing gear can be to marine life.
“BDMLR continues to urge everyone visiting the coast to report entanglements immediately and never attempt to free marine animals themselves, as well-intentioned actions can sometimes make the situation worse or put both the animal and people at risk.”
Locals praised the rescuers online.
One wrote: “Thank you and well done.”
Another added: “BDMLR is amazing.”
And a third said: “What a great job you do.”
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