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Seal found in Norfolk garden
seal in Norfolk garden
“It’s not uncommon for seals to venture up rivers away from the sea looking for food and they normally manage to find their way back.”
Lost animal made it back to the sea for the new year

A grey seal in search of a new home on New Year’s Eve mistakenly made his way into a Norfolk garden, 2km from the sea.

The lost wanderer was spotted among the trees and shrubbery by a woman at her holiday home in Blakeney.

RSPCA animal collection officer Naemi Kilbey said the seal had made his way into the garden, which is just off a coastal road, through a fence. It is thought he came inland from the sea along the River Glaven, just a short distance from the garden where he was found.

“It’s not uncommon for seals to venture up rivers away from the sea looking for food and they normally manage to find their way back,” Kilbey explained.

“But it looks like this guy’s internal navigation system got a bit frazzled and he ended up a little lost! The lady certainly had a shock when she spotted him lazing around in her shrubbery!”

Fortunately, the seal had no obvious injuries or illnesses so officers released him back into the sea on New Year’s Day.

“It was so lovely to start the new year watching him swim back out to sea where he belongs,” Kilbey added. “Hopefully, he’ll find the new home he was looking for somewhere that’s a little more seal-friendly!”

Image © RSPCA

 

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.