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Seals found at Tankerton... and Rolvenden?

Edward Barham took this picture of a lost seal near Rolvenden
Edward Barham took this picture of a lost seal near Rolvenden

A pair of seals found their way into uncharted territory in Kent this week - with one finding itself among beach huts up a hill and another miles inland on a barely-flowing stream.

One of them had followed a river more than 15-miles inland ending up at the village of Rolvenden on a private estate.

Estate owner Edward Barham said: "It really is quite extraordinary for it to be here, some 15 miles from the sea and on such a small waterway.

"The stream is only trickling at the moment and there is virtually no water for it."

Jason Carter, a volunteer with the British Divers’ Marine Life Rescue, said: "What has probably happened is that with the extra recent flooding the seal has come up the river because of the fish.

"We have had a medic up there to look for it but it will find its way back. These are hardy little creatures."

The seal pup found wandering near beach huts at Tankerton
The seal pup found wandering near beach huts at Tankerton

Meanwhile, a seal pup, was spotted on Tankerton Slopes, near Whitstable.

Julie Maver, who also photographed it, said: "I noticed my dogs reacting warily, and thought they had seen a flock of seagulls.

"I was so surprised when I came across a seal pup up among the huts.

"Not only had the pup pulled herself across the beach and up on to the prom, she had then continued making her way up the slopes, reaching the fourth row before coming to a rest."

Kent seal specialist Brett Lewis said: "It was a grey seal pup, about five to six weeks old, and she had clearly left her colony.

"She was fully weaned but emaciated, as she obviously hadn’t learned to catch fish for herself yet."

After being assessed, the pup was taken to Mallydams Wood, an RSPCA animal welfare education and training centre and wildlife rehabilitation centre in Sussex.

The Rolvenden seal remains at large.

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