Seal wrapped in fishing gear rescued and released in back into wild

By Barney Riley via SWNS

A fur seal was given life-saving treatment after marine animal rescue officers found it entangled in discarded fishing lines and hooks.

Members of the public called in the rescue after seeing the seal struggling - unable to feed.

Melbourne Zoo’s Marine Response Unit rescued the seal as it made its way along the coastline of Flinders in Victoria, Australia.

Footage shows the seal being subdued in a net and, once stable, had the fishing line carefully cut away.

Coordinator Mark Keenan said: “We discovered the young seal off the coast of Flinders.

“It was almost incapacitated with its flipper pinned to its side, wrapped up in a mix of fishing lures and jigs."

Images showed the array of plastic-looking materials that had to be cut away from the poor seal.

The response unit took the seal back to Melbourne Zoo, where it was treated for severe dehydration and malnutrition.

The following day it was released back into the wild on the coast.

Mark added: "Each year, we see an increase of reports throughout spring and summer when people are more likely to be out enjoying our beaches, lakes and piers.

“Being mindful about how we dispose of our plastic and fishing waste goes a long way in reducing the impact and harm on marine wildlife."