Shock as a baby seal ends 300-mile trip from Scotland outside a pub in Hanham
and live on Freeview channel 276
The pup was discovered by staff at The Old Lock & Weir Inn in Hanham Mills, which overlooks the River Avon, on Sunday morning (January 2).
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Hide AdWorker John Jeffrey told BristolWorld: “One of our chefs came out and said there was a baby seal - I thought must be an otter, but lo and behold, it was a seal pup.”
Mr Jeffrey said The Old Lock & Weir Inn staff phoned the RSPCA and let the seal back out as advised - but he came back.
This time, he came up to the pub’s front door.
Another phone call led to the Marine Rescue Service advising the pub staff to keep the pup safe whilst waiting for rescue services to arrive.
Mr Jeffrey said: “We contained him outside, hosed him to stop him from drying and got some wet towels.”
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Hide AdAfter an hour, teams from the RSPCA and the Marine Life Rescue Service came and got the baby seal, which according to his tag number is called Neoprene and was tagged in Scotland in June last year.
However, the long journey down to Bristol had taken its toll on Neoprene, who was underweight and is currently being treated at the RSPCA West Hatch Animal Rescue Centre in Taunton before the plans are to let him out into the Clevedon sea.
Mr Jeffrey added that The Old Lock & Weir Inn is staying in touch with the RSPCA to find out what happens to the seal.
He added: “Maybe we can sponsor him. He could become our mascot.”
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