Seals released back into the wild by Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary

Eight seals were released back into the wild by Sealife Centre staff at Hunstanton. Pictured are Robert Pedley and Nicky Nelson. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

All were found abandoned as pups on beaches around Hunstanton this summer and taken to the resort's Sea Life Sanctuary.

They were fed on oil-rich fish to build their weight up until they were ready for release.

Weighing around 10kg at birth, experts at the sanctuary say the animals should weigh at least 25kg before being released.

Eight seals were released back into the wild by Sealife Centre staff at Hunstanton. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

This morning keepers rounded up the seals by draining their pool, before they were caught in special slings and weighed.

All eight were good to go, with some weighing nearer 40kg after being well fed at the sanctuary.

'We feed them pretty much exclusively herring,' said lead aquarist Natalie Emmerson. 'It's very good for the weight gain.

Some of the eight seals heading out into the water after being released by Sealife Centre staff at Hunstanton. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

'In the pool with the adults they learn to be seals again, especially the ones that came in as abandoned pups.'

After the weigh-in, the animals were carried to the nearby beach ready for release.

While they might have spent most of their lives in a pool, they knew exactly what to do as the slings were loosened.

Some of the eight seals heading out into the water after being released by Sealife Centre staff at Hunstanton. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Watched by a couple of dog walkers, they slid down the shingle and back into the sea.

Eight seals were released back into the wild by Sealife Centre staff at Hunstanton. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)