News

Seal pup’s 120km swim ends in rescue and release

Published

4 weeks ago

April 15, 2026

Young grey seal found weak at St Brides Bay after remarkable journey from Cornwall is now back in the wild

A GREY seal pup found dehydrated and underweight on the Pembrokeshire coast after travelling around 120km from Cornwall in just four days has been released back into the wild after months of rehabilitation.

The pup, affectionately named Muse, was discovered on the rocks at St Brides Bay on December 11. Rescuers later confirmed he had been seen four days earlier at Port Gaverne in North Cornwall, meaning the young seal had completed a remarkable journey across the wild in a matter of days.

Muse was taken into care by the RSPCA and transferred to West Hatch Wildlife Centre in Taunton, Somerset, where staff nursed him back to health over the winter months.

He was released at a location in Devon on Wednesday, April 8, alongside five other rehabilitated seals.

RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Supervisor Ryan Walker said: “It was absolutely wonderful to see Muse along with the group of seals going back to where they belong.

“They had all been admitted either with injuries, were unwell or were underweight and we have spent the time needed to get them back to full health and at a weight fit for release.”

When Muse was found in Pembrokeshire, RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer and Wildlife Officer Ellie West said he was in a poor state, showing signs of dehydration, weight loss and illness.

She also noticed marks on his back similar to those used by rescuers to identify seals that have already been assessed. After contacting British Divers Marine Life Rescue, it was confirmed he was the same pup their volunteers had checked in Cornwall on December 7.

Ellie said: “When I initially assessed him, little did I know that he had travelled such a long way in such a short time.

“When I spoke with the British Divers Marine Life Rescue they confirmed that the pup was the same one their volunteers had marked four days previously on December 7 at Port Gaverne, North Cornwall.

“However, in the four days after this, he made his way to St Brides Bay, covering a distance of around 120km.”

She said the journey was unusually long for such a young pup and that by the time he reached Pembrokeshire he had become dehydrated, had lost more weight, was passing dark loose faeces and had ulcers in his mouth.

Muse was given immediate treatment, including tube feeds of electrolyte fluids and fish, before being taken to West Hatch.

Ryan said the pup recovered well and fed independently throughout his rehabilitation.

He said: “He’s consistently gained weight each week over the past few months showing he can compete well with the other seals for his share of the fish.

“His last weight was measured at 41.5kg – nearly tripling in size since he was picked up on the beach.”

By Christmas Eve, Muse had increased his weight from 16kg to 19kg. He later moved to shallow outdoor pools in early January before joining the main pre-release pool with 11 other seals at the end of February.

The five other seals released alongside him had all been rescued by British Divers Marine Life Rescue. They were named Jimi Hendrix, Lewis Capaldi, Run DMC, Kate Nash and Oxford Comma, in keeping with the centre’s music-themed naming tradition this year.

The RSPCA said caring for seal pups is a lengthy and expensive process, with each animal often staying at the centre for several months. During seal season, which usually runs from September to March, the centre spends an average of £1,400 a week on fish and veterinary care.

The charity is reminding the public to keep a safe distance if they spot a seal on the beach.

Ellie said healthy seal pups are often left alone while their mothers feed at sea, but added that anyone concerned about a pup that appears distressed, injured or unwell should call for help rather than approach it.

She also warned dog owners to keep pets on leads near seal colonies, as seals are wild animals and can bite if threatened.

Community

Concern grows after child hospitalised following Tenby sea swim

Published

2 hours ago

May 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PARENT SAYS BOY BECAME SERIOUSLY ILL AFTER SWIMMING DURING FAMILY VISIT

CONCERN is growing in Pembrokeshire after a parent claimed their child was admitted to hospital after swimming in the sea at Tenby.

The post, shared in a local Tenby Facebook group, said the family had visited the resort between Monday and Thursday, with the boy swimming in the sea on Tuesday (May 6).

His parent wrote: “My son swam in the sea on the 6th and the next morning came down with terrible sickness and diarrhoea — he’s been very unwell since and has tonight been admitted to hospital.”

They added: “It’s terrible we can’t swim in our seas and rivers safely anymore. Please be aware.”

The post prompted hundreds of reactions and dozens of comments, with many people expressing sympathy for the family and others raising wider concerns about sewage pollution and water quality around the Pembrokeshire coast.

One commenter said: “This is a national disgrace, please put in a written complaint to Dŵr Cymru and Natural Resources Wales.”

Another asked: “Why were there no signs put up on the beaches to warn people it was unsafe to swim in?”

Others claimed they or family members had suffered illness after swimming at locations including Tenby, Amroth, Newgale and Coppet Hall.

One person wrote: “I got sepsis from a cut in Newgale surfing. Took six weeks in hospital and seven months recovery and still not right to get over it.”

Another said: “Please check with your son’s doctors regarding E.coli and a condition called HUS, which can develop from E.coli. My daughter swam at Amroth in 2022 after a sewage incident in the area and became seriously ill.”

No medical evidence has been published linking the latest reported illness directly to seawater exposure, and there is currently no official confirmation that conditions at Tenby caused the child’s illness.

However, the post has reignited anger over sewage discharges, pollution alerts and the information available to visitors and local people before entering the water.

Lydstep warning

The concern follows a recent warning at Lydstep Haven after Natural Resources Wales informed Pembrokeshire County Council of an “abnormal situation” which could temporarily affect bathing water quality.

Pembrokeshire County Council said officers from its Pollution Control Team had placed warning notices at various locations around the beach, temporarily advising against bathing while the matter was investigated.

Some residents questioned whether warnings were clear enough, particularly during busy holiday periods.

One commenter wrote: “Why aren’t there any warnings to holiday makers and visitors to our local area? It’s not fair that they find out information after someone becomes ill.”

Another said: “There should be notices and announcements on the beaches if there is an outage.”

Others pointed out that Surfers Against Sewage’s water quality app was not showing an active alert for Tenby itself, and suggested some online comments may have confused the current Lydstep warning with previous pollution notices affecting beaches in the Tenby area.

Protest at Broad Haven

The issue comes less than a week before campaigners stage a Surfers Against Sewage paddle-out protest at Broad Haven.

The protest is due to take place on Saturday, May 16, at 1:30pm, as part of a UK-wide day of action calling for an end to sewage pollution in rivers and seas.

Surfers Against Sewage says communities across the UK will gather on beaches, riverbanks and in the water to demand stronger action on sewage pollution.

The campaign group said: “We are sick of it. Sick of the lies, sick of the greed and sick of a system that’s rigged against us.”

A large banner has already been placed on Broad Haven seafront encouraging people to attend the protest.

Tourism concerns

The row has also raised concerns about the potential impact on Pembrokeshire’s tourism industry, with Tenby, Broad Haven, Newgale and other seaside communities heavily dependent on visitors during the spring and summer months.

One commenter wrote: “Not very good for a holiday destination is it.”

Another said: “Tourism will be massively affected by incidents like this, and people’s health and lives are being put at risk.”

Others called for stronger action from Welsh Government, Natural Resources Wales, Pembrokeshire County Council and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water.

The Herald has approached Natural Resources Wales, Pembrokeshire County Council and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water for comment.

Community

Milford Haven remembers those lost at sea

Published

3 hours ago

May 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

National Fishing Remembrance Day marked by Port

MILFORD HAVEN came together on Sunday (May 10) to remember those who have lost their lives at sea.

The Port of Milford Haven joined the Fishermen’s Mission, Stella Maris – Apostleship of the Sea and members of the local community for a National Fishing Remembrance Day service at St Katherine’s and St Peter’s Church.

The service was followed by a gathering at the Fisherman’s Memorial on The Rath, where those who never returned home from the sea were remembered.

Canon Chancellor John Cecil and Reverend Paul Osunyikanmi led what was described as a moving service of remembrance.

The Port of Milford Haven said it was honoured to take part in the event, paying tribute to fishing families and the wider maritime community.

The annual day of remembrance holds particular significance in Milford Haven, a town with deep fishing and seafaring roots.

Local Government

Jonathan Grimes becomes 647th Mayor of Pembroke

Published

4 hours ago

May 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

JONATHAN GRIMES has said he is “incredibly proud and deeply honoured” after becoming the 647th Mayor of Pembroke.

Cllr Grimes, county councillor for Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, thanked those who had placed their trust and confidence in him.

He said: “With the support, commitment and dedication of Pembroke Town Council and our wonderful community, I am confident we can meet every challenge together, celebrate our successes, and continue building a brighter and more inclusive future for Pembroke.

“It is a true privilege to serve as Mayor, and I look forward to working alongside the people of Pembroke in the months ahead.”

Cllr Grimes said he was also looking forward to attending this afternoon’s service at St Mary’s Church in Pembroke for the Blessing of the Bells.

He added that he hoped to meet as many people as possible as the town celebrates the return of the historic bells.