Fat-tastic tales of herring-do for Sammy

The Worthing Herald has followed closely the story of Sammy, the injured seal pup who was rescued from the sea at East Worthing last month.

After weeks of worry about Sammy's fate, because vets discovered his right flipper was broken and it was feared it might not heal, he has now been given a clear bill of health '” and has gone from an underweight 13kg, to 28kg in three weeks.

Sammy is currently being cared for at Mallydams RSPCA centre in Hastings and is expected to be released off the Hastings coast, where there are families of seals he can join.

Billy Elliott, of Worthing and District Animal Rescue Service (WADARS), helped rescue Sammy. He said: "The fact he has done so well this quickly is rewarding for everyone. And the fact we have been able to help him has made everything worthwhile."

Sammy the seal was dramatically rescued from Worthing beach at the end of last month after he beached himself.

Sammy was x-rayed by vets, who discovered his right flipper was broken, and it was feared he might have to be put down.

But he made a great recovery '” splashing around in his outdoor pool and eating 35 herrings a day which is half more than a normal seal his age.

But it appears Sammy has been throwing his weight around. He has become much bigger than the two other seals in his enclosure and has started to bully them, especially at meal times.

Billy said: "He has become a bit of a character. From a wildlife point of view this is good because he will do well when he is released. In the colony system, it is all to do with hierarchy and Sammy will be up there with the strong ones."

Sammy will be released by Billy and his carers from Mallydams with the other two seals and it is thought the three seals will probably stay together.