'Heartwarming moment' as rescued seal is released

Smores confidently made her way back into the sea earlier this week

A rescued seal pup of the season has been successfully released back into the wild after completing rehabilitation.

The Cornish Seal Sanctuary said Smores, its first rescued seal grey seal pup of the season, was in urgent need of specialist care when she arrived at the clinic in Gweek.

The team said it was a "heartwarming moment" when Smores confidently made her way into the surf and disappeared beneath the waves at a quiet beach in Cornwall on Wednesday.

She was found in September aged between four and five weeks old in a severely malnourished state.

Twelve pups are being cared for at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary

After being stabilised by medics, Smores was taken to the sanctuary where the team began intensive treatment.

The sanctuary said the pup made a full recovery following weeks of expert care, nutrition and treatment.

She was "ready to begin life back in the ocean" after reaching a target weight of 30kg, said rescuers.

Senior animal care specialist and research coordinator Anne van Domburg said: "Watching Smores head back into the water is exactly why we do what we do.

"She came to us vulnerable and exhausted, and seeing her now strong, healthy, and ready to thrive in the wild is incredibly rewarding for the entire team."

The sanctuary said it was currently caring for 12 seal pups.