South Shields MP says the seal she helped rescue from Littlehaven Beach is ‘very unwell’

The MP has posted an update about the seal that she helped rescue from the sand on Littlehaven Beach along the town’s coastline.

She and a group of others had been trying to reach animal welfare organisations in a bid to get the pup to safety, after it seemed to have an injured fin.

Emma tweeted an update yesterday evening (August 4) to say that the British Divers Marine Life Rescue had arrived and rescued the pup, which Mrs Lewell-Buck got to name Barnabus.

She also thanked those to offered the group snacks and hot drinks while they waited for help to arrive.

In another tweet, posted this afternoon (Wednesday, August 5), the MP gave a further update on the condition of Barnabus.

She said: “Barnabus is in Tynemouth Seal Hospital, just heard he is very unwell. Hoping to visit him in the morning.”

At the time of the incident when she was waiting for help to arrive, the MP expressed her feelings about the condition of the seal, highlighting that it didn’t look good.

Mrs Lewell-Buck commented: “I’ve been here for hours and I feel like I’m watching it die. It’s breathing has accelerated and it’s really horrible.

"It looks like it’s got a broken fin, so we’re making sure no one gets too close.”

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