Lucky to be rescued late in the evening, thanks to a great team effort!

Early on Sunday evening, I received a call from the Cornwall Wildlife Trust to respond to a strandings call just east of Godrevy point. I was unable to locate the reason for the call, but couldn't resist a quick look at the seal haulout beach that had been empty of seals for the last few days. To my surprise, I spotted a young female in the middle of the horseshoe. I could tell all was not well with my naked eye, but needed my telescope to work out why. This seal had a 'noose' of monofilament net pulled tight around her neck. Usually the decision to call out a rescue is a tough one, with other seals to disturb off the beach, tides going the wrong way or the seal in a position too close to the water's edge. Today, the tides were right - going out - and the seal was alone. Working against us was the fading light and the vigilance of the seal who would bolt for the sea the minute it spotted any rescuers. Despite these concerns, I made the call to Dave Jarvis and Tim Bain - the area coordinators of the BDMLR (British Divers Marine Life Rescue.) Within a very short time, all key team members were on their way and the National Seal Sanctuary dispatched an animal care team. A risk assessment was conducted and a plan was hatched. Tim, Maz and Selina began their descent of the cliff, taking great care to avoid catching the seal's eye or making any noise. The seal kept looking up, forcing the team to freeze. This happened several times and we held our breath, as on one occasion, the seal began to haul seaward. Much to everyone's surprise, the rescue team made it to the beach with the seal still a long way from the sea. Suddenly, everything happened quickly - the seal bolted and the rescue team were forced to out run the seal and block its path to the sea. Maz 'jumped' the seal without hesitation and Tim joined her to add weight to immobilise what proved to be a feisty and lively young seal. Selina joined them with the medical kit and carried out the risky task of cutting the numerous lengths of monofilament from the blubber around the seal's neck. This was toughest at the back of the seal's neck, where the skin had begun to grow over the monofilament line. Selina then used saline solution to clean the wound to reduce the likelihood of infection. A quick radio conversation between the rescue team on the beach and Tamara on the clifftop, confirmed that the best course of action was to release the seal straight back into the wild. Clearly relieved to be set free, the young female bounced off back to the sea, splashing wildly on entering the water.This left the rescuers the tough job of climbing back up the steep slopes to the cliff top, to be greeted by a delighted team of onlookers.

Young female with net noose (left) : The net cuts into her neck (mid left) : Setting off down the cliff (mid right) : From the clifftop (right)

Excellent team work (left) : Out running the seal (mid left) : 'Jumping' the seal (mid right) : Cutting off the monofilament net (right)

Cleaning the wound with saline (left) : Radio contact with the clifftop (mid left) : Releasing the seal (mid right) : Back to the wild (right)

Many thanks to the British Divers Marine Life Rescue and the National Seal Sanctuary for turning up so quickly and so late on a Sunday evening to help this young seal, who would eventually have been strangled or asphyxiated as she grew into her noose of net.