Trapped seal proves to be a slippery customer
Attempts to rescue a seal stuck in the River Medway near Maidstone go on after three weeks. After several bids, including a nine-hour operation, Mark Stevens, director of operations for the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), say the group of volunteers finally managed to get the mammal’s head inside a trap last Thursday.
But the seal, which was first seen in the waterway on April 2, managed to break free. Despite being named Bradley, it is likely the seal is actually female.
Mr Stevens said: “Obviously, you can’t catch him within the width of the river.
“We have had some issues with the mud. We actually had his head in a trap but he managed to wiggle his way out. “Obviously, he is quite a lively seal.
“There is nothing too much wrong with him, other than he is in the wrong place, which is delighting most and clearly upsetting a few.”
It is thought Bradley is
trapped in the Medway because cannot negotiate the lock gates at Allington, which are not due to be opened until June.
Last weekend, the BDMLR team thanked the public for their help and dismissed claims onlookers were crowding around the seal’s favoured spot, on the Tovil slipway.
But Mr Stevens, who works full-time as a teacher, did warn
people not to get too close. He said: “People seem to be being respectful. Obviously, the big concern is the people who I suppose are going to see him with malicious intent.
“The other big concern is we have seen photos of people who have managed to get really close to offer him something - I guess something to eat.
“But this animal will bite.
“When we carry out these rescues, we accept that risk and many of us have the bite marks to prove it.
Mr Stevens said he did not know when another rescue might be attempted. He added: “Our whole team are volunteers so we have to fit it around our other commitments.”
If you see the seal, you should call the BDMLR on 01825 765546.