Seal 'severely wounded' by plastic ring given 'second chance'

An exhausted and underweight seal has been given a "second chance" after she was found with a plastic ring around her neck.

A vet battled to remove the flying ring which was deeply embedded in her neck and had caused a severe wound that became infected.

The seal, named Ghost Bug, is the latest to be rehabilitated by RSPCA East Winch after Friends of Horsey Seals rescued her.

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The RSPCA and other organisations have been campaigning for people not to use plastic flying rings (Image: RSPCA)

As with all seals who suffer entanglements, the grey seal was taken to the wildlife centre in need of urgent medical attention.

Her treatments included regular salt baths to help the wound heal, alongside antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.

Evangelos Achilleos, centre manager, said: “This small toy when caught around a seal can cause so much damage and we only see the ones who are thankfully rescued.

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"It’s just awful to think that there will be others out there who have suffered a sad fate because of man-made items polluting our seas.

“Ghost Bug’s injury has healed well but she will always have a permanent scar as a result."

After weeks of treatment, she was taken back to Horsey to be released back to the sea.

Ghost Bug was taken back to Horsey Beach, where she was rescued, earlier this month to be released back into the wild (Image: RSPCA)

Seal volunteers and members of the public watched the heart-warming moment she was successfully released back into the wild.

“It’s always a very moving moment when you watch them return back to the wild", Mr Achilleos added. "It’s just wonderful knowing that thanks to everyone’s efforts this seal has been given a second chance."

The RSPCA and other organisations have been campaigning for people not to use these types of flying rings.

Many councils have agreed to ban them and promote the Safer Seals Campaign along the Norfolk Coast.