Brixham No Hoax!

Beware - horror herein lies!!!!!! :o(

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Brixham
• Holiday
• Park
• Torbay
• Devon
• English
• Riviera
• Churston
• Cove
• horror
• seal
• trapped
• crab
• pot
• buoy
• rope
• caught
• distress
• boat
• harbour
• harbourmaster
• RSPCA
• British
• Divers
• Marine
• Life
• Rescue

[wombathead]

Having studied the video in some detail, I am certain the seal was caught up in the buoy...at about 0.30 the buoy can be seen 'pointing' in the opposite direction to the swell, which would only have been achieved if it was being pulled in that direction. Looking at the rope positioning at 0.31, 5.36 and 5.52, it appears the rope is shifting towards the rear flippers. I think the most likely outcome is that it managed to release itself while the videographer went to get help.

[TelsWeb]

My first sighting was around 8:13am

my last sighting around 9:31am. The rope configuration around the seal on both occasions was identical.

I maintained an unbroken watch on the buoy from around 8:29am to around 9:25am WITHOUT seeing THAT seal.

I think a seal can hold its breath for a maximum of 20 minutes?

:o(

[terryc02]

i reported it and was there with you on the cliff apparently though there was quite a commotion in the cove this morning my friend told me a seal was possibly dead on the rocks (tide was out) and two seals thrashing about! :-(

[TelsWeb]

My next video of 12th March refers.

Plenty of action and thrashing about and 'playing' by at least three. I saw NO sign of a dead seal or one permanently caught in rope.

[wombathead]

(ran out of text)...however, if I do get any further calls or reports, I will update you.

[wombathead]

Although BDMLR did receive a 'stand down' call, 2 volunteer Marine Mammal Medics from the Newton Abbot area still attended. After spending quite some time clambering around the clffs and checking the various little coves, as well as spending a long time watching the area around the buoy, nothing was found. The use of some high powered binoculars also revealed nothing further out. The only conclusion we could draw was that the seal had somehow managed to free itself...