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'Lost' grey seal rescued from field in St Helens 'Lost' common seal rescued from field in St Helens
(about 1 hour later)
A seal found in a field in Merseyside has been taken to a wildlife hospital "exhausted" after being rescued.A seal found in a field in Merseyside has been taken to a wildlife hospital "exhausted" after being rescued.
The "distressed" sea mammal was found near Newton Brook in Newton-le-Willows at about 09:45 GMT, police said.The "distressed" sea mammal was found near Newton Brook in Newton-le-Willows at about 09:45 GMT, police said.
Police, animal rescue officers and a farmer herded it with brooms and metal fences into a RSPCA trailer. Police, firefighters, animal rescue officers and a farmer herded him with brooms and metal fences before putting him into an RSPCA trailer.
The grey seal, found about 17 miles (27km) from the nearest coastline, is thought to have travelled up the River Mersey, before getting "lost". The common seal could have travelled up to 20 miles (32km) up the River Mersey from the sea, before getting "lost".
It has been taken to the RSPCA's hospital in Nantwich, Cheshire for assessment. The 5ft (1.2m) long male suffered a head injury and had discharge from his nose, the RSPCA said
He was taken to the RSPCA's hospital in Nantwich, Cheshire for assessment after the rescue, which ended at 14:00 GMT.
RSPCA inspector John Brooks said: "This is the first time I have ever come across a seal in a field.
"There is a brook nearby but that is only about three feet deep. If he followed the rivers and tributaries he could've travelled as far as 20 miles from the sea."
Police said once the animal has fully recovered, the RSPCA "hope to release the seal back into its natural habitat".Police said once the animal has fully recovered, the RSPCA "hope to release the seal back into its natural habitat".
British Divers Marine Life Rescue Service (BDMLR) were called to rescue the seal by police after it was found by a dog walker.British Divers Marine Life Rescue Service (BDMLR) were called to rescue the seal by police after it was found by a dog walker.
Rachael Fraser, from BDMLR, said: "We think he's come from the Mersey area, which is tidal, and he's come up the bank here and he's got lost. Rachael Fraser, from the service, said: "We think he's come from the Mersey area, which is tidal, and he's come up the bank here and he's got lost.
"It's very unusual.""It's very unusual."
Seals are powerful animals and potentially dangerous, police said. They have advised members of the public to stay away from the area. Steve Marsh, a colleague, said: "It's not an easy job certainly because they are large animals.
Steve Marsh, from BDMLR, said: "It's not an easy job certainly because they are large animals. "They can be quite aggressive and we do have people in our charity that can actually handle those large seals."
"They can be quite aggressive and we do have people in our charity that can actually handle those large seals, but in this instance we are probably going to have to be using the fire brigade to help out." Common seals
He said the fire service had a "good animal rescue team".
Grey seals
Source: The Mammal SocietySource: The Mammal Society