The young seal who is starving to death after getting a fishing hook caught in its mouth
- Young seal was pictured starving to death in the Labrador Bay area of Devon
- Believed to have caught a fishing hook in its mouth which has stopped it eating
- Visitors to the area are asked to watch out for the animal and contact Marine Life Rescue if they see it
Heartbreaking pictures show a young seal starving to death after getting a fishing hook caught in its mouth.
The underweight grey seal can be seen sprawled across the rocks with the fishing tackle pierced through its lip.
The seal was spotted writhing in agony at Blackallers Cove, Labrador Bay, in Devon, last Thursday.
Other snaps show the distressed pup frothing at the mouth.
An underweight grey seal was spotted sprawled across the rocks with the fishing tackle pierced through its lip at Black Allers Cove, Labrador Bay, in Devon
The seal appeared to be starving, and was seen frothing at the mouth as it lay on the rocks
Share this article
Boat trip operator Devon Sea Safari posted the images of the seal on its Facebook page.
They said: 'Unfortunately we came across a seal entangled in fishing tackle during an afternoon trip on Thursday.
'It looks underweight and needs help. It may appear anywhere in Labrador Bay.'
Dan Jarvis of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), said volunteer teams had been out looking for the seal over the weekend.
'Unfortunately we came across a seal entangled in fishing tackle during an afternoon trip on Thursday. It looks underweight and needs help. It may appear anywhere in Labrador Bay,' said a spokesperson for Devon Sea Safari
When it was first spotted close to the shoreline rescuers could not reach it due to the poor accessibility of the area
Visitors to the Labrador Bay area of Devon are asked to be on the lookout and report to BDMLR on 01825765546 if they come across the seal
'The next stage would then be to catch it.
'When it was first seen it was not in a very accessible area so getting up close to it and catching it would be the really hard part.
'On the other hand, we have had seals caught up on hooks on a number occasions and we know from those cases the hooks do tend to come out quite quickly.
'Although you don't see it very often, sadly it is a relatively common occurrence at this time of year where seals are bought in close contact with people and anglers in harbours.
'They should be left to forage themselves as it creates these situations.'
Visitors to the Labrador Bay area of Devon are asked to be on the lookout and report to BDMLR on 01825765546 if they come across the seal.
