Seal 'taken from mum' with umbilical cord attached

The seal pup weighed just 8kg (1st 25lb) when it was rescued

A baby seal was found "thin and barely responsive" after it was "taken from its mother" with an umbilical cord still attached.

The 8kg (1st 25lb) pup had been removed from Walton-on-the-Naze beach by a person who wanted to show their friends and family, South Essex Wildlife Hospital claimed.

The pup's condition later "crashed" after she was not returned to her mum, it said.

"She is now making progress and is slowly gaining weight, but she still calls for her mother and tries to suckle from a staff members leg," the hospital added.

Beach-goers have been urged to give seal pups "the respect they deserve"

Common seal pups spend four to six weeks with their mothers before being able to fend for themselves.

"Please, this seal pup season, give these animals the respect they deserve and keep your distance," the hospital wrote on social media.