A seal pup left with horrific wounds after becoming tangled in fishing netting has finally been released back into the wild following a remarkable recovery.
Hot Cross Bun was rescued after concerned members of the public spotted him trapped in rope netting off the Cornish coast.
Volunteer marine mammal medics rushed to Nanjizal, Cornwall, where they managed to free the injured pup before taking him for urgent treatment.
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When he arrived at the animal hospital at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary in Gweek, staff discovered the netting had carved deep wounds into the back of his neck.
Despite the severity of his injuries, Hot Cross Bun fought back.
His wounds were cleaned and treated every day, with signs of improvement appearing within a week.
Just three weeks later, he was well enough to leave the hospital unit and move into rehabilitation pools, where regular time in saltwater helped accelerate his recovery.
The brave pup was finally released back into the wild on 10 June alongside fellow rescue seal Churro.
By then, he weighed a healthy 36kg and carried only scars as a reminder of his ordeal, as reported by as reported by Need To Know.
Grace Jones, Conservation Coordinator at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, said: “Watching Hot Cross Bun return to the wild is a reminder of both the resilience of marine wildlife and the challenges it faces.
The wound on the seal named Hot Cross Bun. (Jam Press/Cornish Seal Sanctuary)
“While his story has a happy ending, many animals are not so lucky.
“Reducing bycatch is one of the most important steps we can take to better protect our marine and coastal species.”
It has been a busy rescue season for staff and volunteers, who cared for 47 seal pups.
More than 72% arrived with injuries, while others were suffering from malnutrition or respiratory illnesses.
During the season, the team used 8,000kg of fish, 658 towels and clocked up an incredible 10,150 welly boot changes.
One of the sanctuary’s other success stories was Cream Puff, who was rescued when she was just one day old and cared for for more than six months before being released in March.
Another pup, Abeona, underwent surgery to remove an eye damaged in a suspected entanglement before making a full recovery in just two months.
Animal care specialist Bethan said: “Every seal pup that comes through our doors has a unique story, and this season has certainly kept us on our toes.
“From tiny pups requiring round-the-clock feeds to complex medical cases like Hot Cross Bun and Abeona, it’s been incredibly rewarding to watch these animals recover and return to the wild where they belong.”
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