Young Gray Seal Rescued From An Air Vent Entrapment

Environmentalists have been warning for years about the problem of plastic contamination which enters the oceans and seriously threatens marine flora and fauna. Plastics, if not ingested, impedes their movement and can often cause serious injuries.Show more

A young, grey seal was rescued from a "slow and painful" death after it was found with a plastic air vent filter stuck around its neck. The cub was spotted by passers-by in the sea off Burnham Overy Staithe, Norfolk, who alerted Sea Life Hunstanton, a seal and marine life sanctuary. Vet Christopher Tansley, who removed the object, said it "cut deep into the fat as he grew“. After the plastic was taken off, the gray seal began to shake his head, as if in a great relief, and after a long time reached for the water left for him for drinking.

The seal is now recovering at the reserve. They named him Relashio, after a Harry Potter spell used to free people from a trap. The air vent has left a deep scar in his tissue on the neck but vets say the animal feels well and will soon be able to be returned to the coast. Before it is released to its natural habitat, the seal pup must go through a process of training. Sea Life Hunstanton staff are teaching to swim upright and the video above shows him twirling around in the waters of their aquarium. Amazing progress little Relashio!