Andy Scothern Photography

Just as we were about to head off, I just wanted to get some close shots of some of the larger seals at the top of the sand banks. That was when I found a seal away from the rest but it looked to be injured, so I got as close as I could to try and find what was wrong with this seal. Then I found the alarming sight of a plastic ring slicing into this poor seals neck. This seal just had no energy to get away from me being so close to it.

So after a phone call to a very good friend who had access to the internet he gave me some phone numbers to call. The first number that I got through to was Mablethorpe seal sanctuary. The helpful voice said we are on our way, they took down where we were on the beach and said we will be there in 45 minutes. True to their word they arrived onto the beach in their Land Rover within the 45 minutes and they made their way out to us, what a welcome sight they were.

The keepers of Mablethorpe seal sanctuary were very alarmed at what they found and just how bad the wound was around the seals neck. But they said it would be best to cut the ring off now and then get the seal into the transportation crate. So they covered the seals face with a blanket as not to distress the poor seal while we cut the ring off. All the poor seal could do was cry out in pain so off came the ring and we got the seal into the crate and into the Land Rover and off to the seal sanctuary hospital they went.

Everyday we called the seal sanctuary to check on the seals progress and at the start things didn't look good, but they said they would not give up without a fight the seal was put into it's own area to help it recover. The vet was called out to check it out and give the seal some medication, after a few days the seal started to eat the fish the keepers was feeding it. That was when the seal got the name Belle because she was starting to recover well.

...One week on and we made the trip out to Mablethorpe seal sanctuary to check on how this amazing seal called Belle was doing, I cannot say in words just how great the staff and keepers are at the seal sanctuary. It is the first time that we have being to the sanctuary and it is a great place to visit and it is not going to be our last visit either. Belle has had the best care and treatment you could wish for, the keepers were hopeful the Belle will be back out at Raf Donna Nook as soon as her injuries have healed up. They say that Belle is about 4 years old and that the ring has being around her neck for some considerable time but we found her just in time as there was a very bad infection around her neck.

After another visit to Mablethorpe seal sanctuary the news about Belle is great the injury around her neck is healing fine and she is putting weight on. Belle is eating 8 lb of fish a day, the staff at the sanctuary have done a great job getting belle back to good health.

Paul and all the staff, at Mablethorpe Seal sanctuary, called us today, to say that they think it is about time Belle was put back to the wild. 6 weeks after finding Belle, at the former RAF Donna Nook site, she is now fit and well, and able to go back to the wild as that is her natural home. Belle is going to be released back to sea at Mablethorpe and we will be there to see this great moment.

This photo is the last look Belle gave us as she made her way back to the sea, good luck Belle

I would like to say a big thanks to all the staff at the Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary for the fast response to my phone call on the 20th of september from Donna Nook. If they had not of responded to my call, Belle would not be here today, I think that Belle has captured the hearts of the many people that have seen her during her recovery at the sanctuary hospital pool the over the past 6 weeks.

Most people that have seen her have said it is the big beautiful eyes, that Belle has, when she looked at you. I cannot comment enough about the care and commitment the staff at the sanctuary have given Belle over the 6 weeks they have cared for her. They said Belle had being frustrated in her enclosure and that the time was right to let her go back to the wild, so we went up to see her go back home, which was always going to happen, and this was the day.

Thanks To Paul, Linda, Chloe and all of the sanctuary team keep up the great work.