Animal found on a pontoon near
Kew Bridge brought to safety after a 90-minute rescue, to applause from
watching public
Press Association
Thursday 13 October 2016
16.26 BST Last modified on Thursday 13 October 2016 16.48 BST
A stranded seal has been rescued
from the Thames to applause from the watching public in west London.
The animal was discovered on a
pontoon near Kew Bridge in Brentford, and brought to safety after a 90-minute
rescue involving the fire brigade and RSPCA.
It is not unusual for seals to
venture up the Thames, the RSPCA said, but this one was thought to have become
stranded on dry land after emerging from the water with an injury.
The animal charity said it may
have been hit by a boat.
Speaking as the rescue took place
on Thursday morning, an RSPCA spokeswoman said: “It’s not uncommon for seals to
venture up rivers away from the sea looking for food. They normally manage to
find their way back unless they are sick, when they will haul themselves out of
the water.
“In this instance, however, we
are concerned for the seal’s welfare as the animal appears to have an injury to
the eye, perhaps consistent with being hit by a boat.”
London fire brigade station
manager Andy Watson said: “With the help of firefighters, the seal was carried
via a pedestrian bridge into an animal ambulance.
“The rescue was a success and the
watching public clapped from the banks of the river.”
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