Newborn seal pup found abandoned

Nala will be released into the sea when she is strong enough

A newborn seal pup is recovering at a sanctuary after being found on a Dorset beach over the weekend.

The seal was discovered by a dog walker on Swanage Beach on Saturday morning with the umbilical cord still attached.

Experts believe her mother probably gave birth to the pup on Friday night but later abandoned her after getting scared on the busy beach.

The pup - nicknamed Nala - was rescued from the beach and taken by car to the Gweek Seal Sanctuary in Cornwall.

It's very unusual for a seal to be found in this area because there are no colonies nearby Jo Barr RSPCA

Jo Barr, of the RSPCA, told BBC News: "She was found at about 0800 BST on Saturday with the umbilical cord still attached. There was no sign of her mother at all.

"It's normal for a seal to stay out of the water for a couple of weeks with their newborn until the pup develops their waterproof coat but for some reason her mother abandoned her.

"She may have been scared off by the noise and activity on the beach.

"It's very unusual for a seal to be found in this area because there are no colonies nearby."

Ms Barr said that Nala was a little underweight but seemed to be responding well to the care at the Gweek Seal Sanctuary.

The pup will be released back into the sea when experts believe she is strong enough.