Injured seal found under tree put down

The pup was put to sleep due to the extent of his injuries

Rescuers say they made the "right decision" to put down an injured seal that was found under a tree in Northumberland.

Blyth Wildlife Rescue received a report from a member of the public saying they had discovered a "seal in a tree", dozens of metres back from the River Blyth, earlier in January.

A senior medic from the charity attended and said the six-week-old pup had extensive injuries, probably caused by the rough tides.

The male pup was taken for an examination, and it was decided he should be put to sleep.

The charity says the male pup was probably thrown up the embankment by rough tides

John Anderson, the senior medic at Blyth Wildlife Rescue, happened to be close by when a woman phoned the charity's hotline on 4 January.

Mr Anderson said: "Members of the public, without any fault of their own, often misidentify wild animals so I thought it might be another animal that would be more at home in a tree, rather than a marine mammal."

When he arrived, Mr Anderson said the pup was underweight and showing signs of dehydration.

The pup is also thought to have had a fractured jaw and mouth infection.

Warning: Distressing images of the injured seal

Mr Anderson said the pup was at least 50m (164ft) away from the river

It is thought the seal ended up in the location due to bad weather.

Blyth Wildlife Rescue had a similar call out in north Blyth two days previously, after a young seal was found in grassland high above the water line.

"We figured it was rough tides at the time", he said.

"It's quite unlikely someone moved him, they're not the easiest animals to work with."

Mr Anderson said people should keep a distance if they discover a seal, and make sure dogs are kept under control.

He added that people should send photos to rescue organisations so they can advise whether they need treatment, or can be left to rest or digest.

"They've come out for reason," he said.

The charity found the pup's teeth had snapped off at their roots

An examination of the pup at the rescue centre highlighted an extensive infection in his mouth that needed surgery.

"That treatment would take about six-to-eight weeks, and that would involve opening the animal's mouth several times a day for tube feeding, for medication, which is ultimately more suffering and further pain for potentially the same outcome," Mr Anderson said.

The decision was made to put him to sleep.

Space is tight at the Blyth Wildlife Rescue centre, and there are limited rehabilitation centres for seals across the country.

This was the twelfth grey seal or pup rescuers had been out to this season, which began on 1 December.

Mr Anderson said: "We've ordered £1,000 worth of fish alone this month and that's before the running costs of the facility and transportation and medical costs.

"We're stretching ourselves in terms of of finances and what we're able to do as human beings," he said, adding: "But you know, someone's got to do it."