Shock as a baby seal ends 300-mile trip from Scotland outside a pub in Hanham

Pub workers at The Old Lock & Weir in Hanham Mills have described finding the seal, which could now become the pub’s mascot
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A baby seal was found outside a pub in Bristol - having travelled 300 miles from Scotland.

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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Worker 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.”

The baby seal, according to his tag number, is called Neoprene and was tagged in Scotland in June last year. The baby seal, according to his tag number, is called Neoprene and was tagged in Scotland in June last year.
The baby seal, according to his tag number, is called Neoprene and was tagged in Scotland in June last year.

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.

The seal could now become the mascot of The Old Lock and WeirThe seal could now become the mascot of The Old Lock and Weir
The seal could now become the mascot of The Old Lock and Weir

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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After 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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