A BABY seal which got stranded on Felixstowe beach is today under the expert care of vets at a Norfolk wildlife hospital.The seal pup was discovered on the shingle close to the town's war memorial at around midday yesterday at a time when the beach was busy with tourists enjoying the sunshine.

A BABY seal which got stranded on Felixstowe beach is today under the expert care of vets at a Norfolk wildlife hospital.

The seal pup was discovered on the shingle close to the town's war memorial at around midday yesterday at a time when the beach was busy with tourists enjoying the sunshine.

It was looked after by nurses from a local vets practice and a police community support officer until an RSPCA inspector arrived.

Jim Farr, RSPCA inspector, said: “The pup had beached itself in a very busy public part of the beach, which would instantly suggest that there was something wrong with it.

“It had some sort of injury to its torso which I think must have been the problem. I don't think it would have been exhaustion as the sea was not particularly choppy.”

Mr Farr estimates that the pup, which was about two and a half feet long, may not have been much more than three weeks old.

He said: “It was a Common Seal pup and definitely wasn't very old.

“The police officer and the veterinary nurses helped me to stop it from trying to escape while I moved it in to the van, as it was still quite fractious.

“They have got a nasty bite on them when they want to and I would urge any members of the public who might come across one not to get too close.

“People should not try to pick them up or chase them back in to the sea as it could be quite dangerous. They should ring the RSPCA immediately.”

Mr Farr took the seal as far as Thetford in his van, where he was met by a special RSPCA ambulance which took it to the RSPCA Norfolk Wildlife Hospital in East Winch, near Kings Lynn.

The hospital specialises in caring for orphaned, sick or injured seals.

WEBLINK: www.rspca-eastwinch-wildlifecentre.co.uk