Rescued seal pups now back at sea

A VIDEO has captured the touching moment a group of seals was released back into the wild.

Each of the 10 seals were picked up as pups by the Scottish SPCA from across the east coastline and underwent rehabilitation and veterinary care.

Once they were able to feed on their own and had reached a healthy weight, they were released back into the wild from Broughty Ferry beach.

The operation attracted the attention of people out on the sands for their daily exercise.

Caroline Miller, who lives in the

Ferry, had been out walking with her children when they spotted the seals being released.

She said they spoke to the Scottish SPCA staff and were able to watch from a safe distance, while she recorded the moment on her phone.

Five seals were released each day, with the hope they would join a large nearby colony on the other side of the Tay.

An Scottish SPCA spokeswoman said: “Once the rehabilitation care and any veterinary procedures had finished, and the seals were able to self-feed and had reached an appropriate release weight of around 30kg, the decision was made to release them back into the wild.

“Broughty Ferry is a location we have used recently as it provides great access to the beach from a basic logistical point of view and gives the seals a good start to their wild life as a very large seal colony exists at Tentsmuir, opposite the release site.

“All seals released went off really well and the Scottish SPCA was assisted in this operation by the British Divers Marine Life Rescue.

“All the seals released had been in captivity for varying times from between two weeks and five months in our care.”

Snailbob the seal being released back to the wild by the Scottish SPCA at Broughty Ferry beach.