Seal washes up and dies despite rescue on Seaham beach

The seal, which was that same week rescued by volunteers who cut off a rubber ring deeply into its neck, washed up on Sunday (January 7) on Seaham Beach, north of the Marina area.

Former medic Kaz spotted the entangled seal between Blackhall Rocks and Crimdon, called it in and stayed to support on Wednesday, January 3.

Seal found on Seaham beach. (Image: CONTRIBUTOR)

Medics of British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) Darren, Vicky, Thomas, and Sarah responded to the call and joined her and sprayed the wound with antiseptic before the seal returned to the sea.

The hope was that the wound would heal, but sadly on Saturday, January 6, the seal washed up dead on Seaham Beach.

Iain Rowan, from Sunderland, volunteers for the BDMLR and spotted the animal. Despite being prepared to help the animal, realised it had already died. 

Iain said: "To see this is sad. It was a beautiful creature. I think what makes it particularly distressing is that it died because of humans.

"Because of plastics, rubber and other items being discarded that seal died. If people walking along the beach took a carrier bag with them and did their bit we would have fewer call-outs."

The team, which is made up of a trained medics, attend callouts for animals made by members of the public "when something can be done".

Recently, they have had dozens of call-outs to assist animals, explained Iain, as he added that to find deceased animals on the seafront is "not uncommon".

Seal found on Seaham beach. (Image: CONTRIBUTOR)

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He said: "When there is a call out, sometimes the best decision is to put the animal to sleep and not return it to the sea to suffer. 

"The majority of interventions are just checking the animal out, making sure it isn't disturbed by dogs or people and it is returned to the water. 

"Other times, there is first aid with some assessment where we tag it and keep an eye on it - it is mostly positive work."

If you spot an animal in need of assistance on the beach, call the British Divers Marine Life Rescue on 01825 765546 - do not attempt to return the animal to the sea without assistance.