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Seal caught up in netting
UNHAPPY ENDING: Nina Shimmin, concerned about this seal seen on the Kitterland rocks between the Sound and the Calf of Man, took a photograph to show the Manx Wildlife Trust. Unfortunately it is unlikely wildlife experts will be able to safely catch the animal to free it from the net.
HOPES are not high there will be a happy outcome for a seal spotted with net wrapped around its neck.
A member of the public, Nina Shimmin, noticed the seal at the weekend on the Kitterland rocks and took a photograph for the Manx Wildlife Trust.
The MWT’s Duncan Bridges said they were already aware of the problem and had been out looking for the animal, but without luck.
Even if they were able to locate it, he said, it is highly unlikely they would be able to help it.
‘Sadly, as it’s a reasonably mature animal it’s very unlikely that we’ll be able to catch it,’ he said.
It means the outlook is not good for the seal, which could succumb to infection and may even have trouble opening its mouth to feed because of the net’s restriction.
Mr Bridges said the seal’s plight highlighted a wider issue.
‘It raises the issue of plastics, netting, line, anything like that can be a big problem for wildlife, especially marine creatures and birds, that often get caught up,’ he said.
He urged anyone who spotted the seal in an accessible location to inform the MWT on 844432.
‘We’ll keep trying,’ he said.
But Mr Bridges warned members of the public not to approach the animal themselves, as it could bite.
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Weather for Isle of Man
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: North west
