Seal pup rescued from Fife beach

A NEWBORN seal has been rescued by an animal charity after she was disturbed by people and dogs on a Scottish beach.

The young female grey seal, aged less than a week old, was found lying on the shore of Tayport beach in Fife at the weekend.

The stranded pup was calling out in alarm, which attracted attention from passers-by and concerns rose after several dogs then started to approach the distressed animal.

Animal rescue officer Robyn Gray of the Scottish SPCA took the seal to the charity’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fishcross, Alloa where she is now being cared for until she can be released back into the wild.

The pup, named Sponge by staff, is the second white-coated baby seal to be rescued this year so far.

Centre manager Colin Seddon said: “We’ll be expecting many more to come into our care over the winter months. Although she wasn’t sick, she had to be rescued because the close presence of dogs and people was causing her distress and it’s likely that this would have prevented her mother from returning to the shore.”

The Scottish SPCA warned people to stay away from seals and call its animal helpline instead if they see a stranded pup by the shore.

A spokesman said: “If a pup is touched or moved then there is a good chance the mother will abandon it.”

The helpline number is 03000 999 999.