Seal found swimming around flooded car park after storm tides subsided on Norfolk coast

Chris Bishop

Published: 2:35 PM January 18, 2017 Updated: 10:53 AM October 10, 2020

The RSPCA Centre at East Winch have taken in a large number of seal pups since the storm surge last weekend. Picture: Ian Burt - Credit: Ian Burt

Staff at the RSPCA's East Winch Wildlife Centre, near King's Lynn, say the animal, christened Benedictus, is recovering from his adventure along with three others rescued after last week's tidal surge.

The RSPCA Centre at East Winch have taken in a large number of seal pups since the storm surge last weekend. Picture: Ian Burt - Credit: Ian Burt

Centre manager Alison Charles said: 'Benedictus arrived in the boot of a VW Golf after a member of the public found him swimming around a post just inshore of the car park at Stiffkey.

'The RSPCA don't recommend this as a way of transporting seals as they can and do bite but thank the public for rescuing him as he was in a bit of a predicament.'

The RSPCA Centre at East Winch have taken in a large number of seal pups since the storm surge last weekend. Picture: Ian Burt - Credit: Ian Burt

Ms Charles said staff at East Winch were watching the weather forecasts very closely after being inundated with young grey seal pups following the last major surge tide in 2013, when they ended up caring for 106.

'Last time the surge tide hit in December when the pups were very young and vulnerable and still with their mums,' she said. 'Fortunately this time many of the pups had left the beaches after moulting their white coat.'

The RSPCA Centre at East Winch have taken in a large number of seal pups since the storm surge last weekend. Picture: Ian Burt - Credit: Ian Burt

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Staff have named a very young female grey pup found at Hemsby Ruby Star. She was dehydrated and exhausted when found orphaned on January 14. She is now rehydrated and much brighter so her three hourly oral rehydration solution feeds are working well.

Grolsch was rescued at Horsey exhausted and lethargic the day before. He is still very quiet and subdued but making steady progress.

The RSPCA Centre at East Winch have taken in a large number of seal pups since the storm surge last weekend. Picture: Ian Burt - Credit: Ian Burt

Hopping Mad was found on Horsey beach, with painful eyes by Friends of Horsey Seals on January 15. He is still very sick is on antibiotics, pain relief and having his eyes bathed regularly.

The RSPCA centre currently has 48 seal pups. Some 26 are in intensive care on 3 hourly feeds of fish soup and vitamins.

The RSPCA Centre at East Winch have taken in a large number of seal pups since the storm surge last weekend. Picture: Ian Burt - Credit: Ian Burt

Ten pups are in the intermediate pools, feeding themselves on mackerel three times a day. Twelve are in deeper outside pools. Staff and volunteers are also caring for 213 hedgehogs, 28 swans and other wildlife casualties.

East Winch Wildlife Centre is open every day of the year from 8am to 10pm to admit sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.

The RSPCA Centre at East Winch have taken in a large number of seal pups since the storm surge last weekend. Picture: Ian Burt - Credit: Ian Burt