11 hours Ago
N umerous residents spotted a wild seal swimming around the Sankey Canal in Sankey Bridges, Newton-le-Willows, and around the Havannah Flashes between Newton, Haydock, and Parr. Although seals primarily live along coastlines, the animals can sometimes swim inland in search of food or after becoming disorientated. Many residents have expressed concerns over the seal's welfare, and there were suggestions circulated on social media that rocks had been thrown at it.
The Guardian understands that a report was made to police in relation to the matter on Sunday but that no evidence was found to corroborate this. In an update issued on Monday Newton-le-Willows East Cllr Seve Gomez-Aspron, said that the seal is still alive but is "not in good condition". This added that a vet from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue had attended the area and confirmed the animal is "old" and "likely on its way out" adding it is "not a viable rescue".
The seal had been spotted in St Helens waterways from last week (Image: Cllr Gomez-Aspron) Late last night an RSPCA officer, along with a vet and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service attended a stretch of water in Haydock. The RSPCA said the seal, an adult female, was found to be dehydrated and "severely emaciated". After a recommendation from the vet, the seal was put down.
An RSPCA spokesperson said: “Late last night a vet, along with an RSPCA officer and the fire brigade, went to a stretch of water in the Haydock area of St Helens to look at a female adult seal which had been seen in the local area. “The seal was extremely lethargic and made no attempt to swim away from people at the scene. She was examined by the vet and sadly found to be dehydrated and severely emaciated.
"The vet recommended the kindest course of action was to put the seal to sleep to prevent further suffering and this was quickly carried out by her, in-situ. “This was a sad outcome for this very poorly seal but we’d like to thank the vet and the fire brigade for assisting us and working late into the night.” The seal has been put down, the RSPCA confirmed (Image: Cllr Gomez-Aspron) A Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service spokesman added: "MFRS attended an incident on Folds Road, Haydock, on the evening of Monday, April 14.
"Crews were alerted at 9.46pm and on scene at 10.06pm with the search and rescue team attending.
"The team assisted multi-agency partners, before leaving the scene at 12.04am on Tuesday, April 15.".
