Injured seal pup rescued from beach near Hastings Harbour Arm
A distressed seal pup found injured on the beach near Hastings Harbour Arm has been rescued and is now recovering at a wildlife rehabilitation centre.
Two members of the Hastings RNLI fundraising team were alerted to the pup after members of the public spotted her on the beach. The seal had several wounds and a swollen muzzle.
The team contacted volunteers at the nearby RNLI shop, part of Hastings RNLI Lifeboat Station. Gaynor, one of the fundraisers, contacted British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), which arranged for the pup to be taken into care.
The young seal was transported to the RSPCA's Mallydams Wood Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, where she is now being cared for by staff and volunteers.
She has been named Dolly, after the late singer and songwriter Dolly Parton.
Hastings Lifeboat Management Group chair Paul said : “We were delighted to be able to help, Gaynor stayed with Dolly on the beach until she could be rescued.
"We have been told by Mallydams that Dolly is doing very well, she is eating well and gaining weight nicely. It was nice that members of the public recognised that we could help.”
The RNLI fundraising team's intervention highlights the role local volunteers can play in responding to incidents involving marine wildlife, alongside specialist organisations such as BDMLR and Mallydams Wood.