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Seal pup's spot of sunbathing

00:00, 10 August 2006

Special young visitor to the Kent coast. Picture: PAUL BOLAND
Special young visitor to the Kent coast. Picture: PAUL BOLAND

THIS cute chap paid a visit to Dover beach for a snooze and a spot of posing for the camera before disappearing back into the water.

The baby seal was spotted by Gateway resident and owner of the DoverForum website Paul Boland who took this picture.

He said: “I looked out my window and this lovely face was looking back at me.”

Burnham House vet Jeremy Stattersfield said the seal was a common seal pup and likely to be only two weeks old and still totally dependent on its mum.

Common seals live on sandy and shingle areas, such as the nearby Goodwin sands, unlike grey seals.

The young pup stayed a couple of hours and then disappeared back into the water.

Mr Stattersfield said: “It can be perfectly natural for them to come ashore, but if a seal has not gone back in the water after several high tides it could be abandoned.”

He added: “If you see a seal on the beach please do not approach it. The best course of action is to phone the RSPCA and let them make an assessment.”

*Pictures also appear on www.doverforum.co.uk

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