Sadness as Clyde seal is found dead
The common seal spotted swimming around in the river Clyde at Blantyre has died.
It was first noticed by local man Jim Brown near to Blantyre Priory earlier this month, and looked to be in good health.
But sadly it deteriorated over the last week and was discovered dead in the water at the bridge between Bothwell and Blantyre over the weekend.
The Scottish SPCA were notified by another resident, Wullie Bell, who had been keeping a keen eye on the mammal whilst out walking his dog, Sparky.
Wullie told the Advertiser this week: “My friend Jim Brown spotted the seal a few weeks back and together we had both been keeping an eye on it whilst out walking.
“It had looked in good health to begin with, but we had contacted the SSPCA who had been out a number of times to check it over, and indeed try and rescue it, but to no avail.
“I even bought a few mackerel to try and feed it, but when I went back to help we discovered it had sadly died.
“We contacted the SSPCA again and they came out and took the seal away. “It was rather sad.” Jim Brown, who first discovered the seal, added: “Seals have a difficult enough existence without being completely out of their normal habitat. This wee one was probably born in the summer and, without any peers to follow, made it to Blantyre.
“It had been catching fish, but clearly not enough and although it did have a relatively quiet spot at the green bridge, life in the river took its toll.
“The SSPCA were aware that its condition was deteriorating and did try to help. They have, contrary to false reports, confirmed that the animal had no physical injuries and died of natural causes.
“I would like to thank Wullie Bell for keeping an eye on it and dealing with the SSPCA, and of course the SSPCA themselves, who regularly save wild animals.”
Common seals are – as the name suggests – the most common type of seal found around the UK.
Although they are found all around the coastline of the British Isles, the highest populations are found around Scotland and also along the eastern coast of England.
Usually living in large groups, they are nonmigratory animals which spend their lives close to the shore, rarely venturing more than a few miles out to sea.
Scottish SPCA Inspector Friel said: “We tried on several separate occasions to rescue the seal pup, but unfortunately he kept slipping away from us. There was no sign of the seal for a few days and then sadly, he was found deceased.
“There were no obvious signs of injury but he was very underweight. As he was just a young pup we suspect he may have lost his way and ended up in the River Clyde, and without his mother was not able to take care of himself.”