Sickly seal pup rescued from Largs slipway

The pup was seen struggling over the course of a month at the RNLI slip.

Despite a number of people raising the alarm, rescue efforts where thwarted as the tiny seal would jump back in to the water.

Hessilhead Animal Welfare Centre continued to receive reports of sightings and thanks to the assistance of a local lady, who stayed with the pup until rescuers could get to Largs, it has now been taken into care.

A spokesperson for Hessilhead said: "For the past four weeks we have been getting reports from Largs about an injured seal pup that often hauled out on the RNLI slip. However whenever a rescue team went down, the seal was back in the water.

"It was very frustrating as people were telling us they could walk right up to it and some people were even taking selfies with the pup.

"After the most recent alert we asked the lady if she could try and keep people and dogs away from the slip and keep the animal calm.

"This time our team were lucky and the seal was soon in a carrying crate and on its way back to us.

"The seal is being treated for lungworm and tapeworm. We hope that in a few weeks it will be fit enough to return to the sea."

With a number of injured and orphaned seals washing up in North Ayrshire, Hessilhead have issued advice on what to do if you come across one.

The spokesperson said: "First of all call us on 01505 502415.

"It is helpful if someone can stay nearby, keeping people and dogs away.

"A seal pup that is underweight or ill will come ashore with the high tide as it tries to stay out of the water.

"As the water level falls the seal, if not disturbed, will stay at high tide mark, and that is the best time for us to catch it as we can then approach from the sea side, preventing the seal getting back into the water.

"If people walk down the beach or slip towards the seal, it makes it head back to the sea.

"A sick, underweight seal pup should never be put back into the water, it is out because it needs help."