A YOUNG seal has been released into the seal after being injured with some some fishing line.

Marine Mammal Medics were called to reports of a seal entangled near Robin Hoods Bay, in North Yorkshire on Wednesday.

Matt Barnes, who helped with the rescue, said: “We soon came across a group of seals and pinpointed a bloodied individual with a nasty ligature wound to its neck."

Due to the seriousness of the young seal’s condition intervention was needed to prevent what turned out to be monofilament fishing line from cutting any deeper and further endangering its life.

The seal was caught and restrained whilst the net removed and a medicated spray applied, after further assessment and the seal being of a satisfactory weight it was released. It is hoped it will make a full recovery.

Mr Barnes added: “Grey seals are inquisitive marine mammals and will often examine and interact with man-made items and litter in and along our coastline often to their detriment.

"Entanglement cases and marine pollution are on the rise along our coasts with plastics being implicated in the vast majority of cases. Without vigilant reporting from the public and intervention from trained organisations like ourselves animals can suffer a miserable and protracted decline.”

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue urges all coastal visitors to remove coastal litter where possible and to give wildlife the space it needs.

Anyone who comes across an imperilled marine mammal is asked to call their 24 hour hotline on 01825765546.

Anyone interested in joining Yorkshires team of Marine Mammal Medics can find more detail online at www.bdmlr.org.uk