Luna landing for abandoned seal

Abandoned seal pups like 'Luna' stand the best chance of recovery if they are tended to straightaway

A seal pup which was found abandoned on the Isles of Scilly has been given a flying start, thanks to helicopter company British International.

The pup was rushed to the mainland after being discovered alone and distressed on the island of St Mary's.

The rescue was carried out by the British Divers Marine Life Rescue charity.

The pup is now recovering at the National Seal Sanctuary at Gweek.

She has been named Luna, after a character from the Harry Potter books.

The Cornwall Area co-ordinator for the charity, Dave Jarvis, commented: "The day after she was rescued, Luna was put on the first flight from St Mary's and is now being tended to at the National Seal Sanctuary.

"Abandoned seal pups stand the best chance of recovery if they are tended to straightaway, and so we were delighted that British International were able to step in and help."

Luna was carried on the 20-minute flight from St Mary's on one of British International's Sikorsky S61 helicopters.

Luna was flown to the mainland by British International

Carol Jones, British International Helicopters' heliport manager, said: "We're often described as a lifeline to the Isles of Scilly, and for this pup, that's no exaggeration. We've been pleased to help out on this unusual rescue mission."

Luna, who weighed in at 13 kilos, was checked over by the National Seal Sanctuary and was found to be uninjured.

She has been put onto a special multi-milk diet to replace the nutrients she would normally get from her mother.

Carol continued: "We're used to carrying VIPs on our service between Penzance, Tresco and St Mary's and I know that our staff would have given Luna similar star treatment. We wish her well in her future life at the National Seal Sanctuary and onwards back into the wild."

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue charity operates nationwide, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The charity, which is operated entirely by volunteers, recently received funding from the Isles of Scilly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Sustainable Development Fund for marine rescue equipment and facilities.

Seal spotting off the Isles of Scilly is a popular activity, with white coated pups found there at this time of year.

It's estimated that the islands are home to around 450 grey seals, a strong hold for seals in the southwest.

Luna is one of the pups at the National Seal Sanctuary which are offered for "adoption" to help cover the £1,000 of rehabilitating them.