A SEAL in distress on Pwllheli beach has been rescued by the RSPCA.

The RSPCA attended the beach on Saturday, 1 October after being called with concerns about an injured seal pup that was stranded there.

The seal was on a public beach where there were quite a few dog walkers around.

RSPCA animal collection officer Ann Lloyd Williams attended the beach and transferred the seal to a boarding centre for assessment and rehabilitation.

She said: “The young grey seal had a few grazes and puncture wounds and was on the thin side. Hopefully following rehabilitation the seal will be re-released back into the wild.”

Following the discovery the RSPCA says that if a member of the public finds a seal pup that looks fit and healthy and shows no signs of distress they should monitor it first from a safe distance for 24 hours.

A spokeswoman for the RSPCA said: “Too many seal pups are taken into captivity because people mistakenly think they have been abandoned.

“However, some pups can be separated from their mothers by storms and others may not feed properly for some reason and need help. A healthy pup looks big and stuffed without a neck. A underweight pup looks thin (but not bony) and has a visible neck, like a dog.

“If the mother does not return within 24 hours, or you think the pup is sick or injured, keep a safe distance and call out 24-hour cruelty line on 0300 1234 999.”