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Bradley the Seal still stuck in River Medway in Maidstone one month on

14:47, 03 May 2021

updated: 15:55, 03 May 2021

Four weeks after he was first spotted swimming in the River Medway, a seal which has been named Bradley is still stuck.

Philip and Conan Anderson were walking by the river when they first spied the mammal just above Allington Lock on April 2.

Bradley was spotted towards East Farleigh Lock yesterday. Picture: Geoff Elliott
Bradley was spotted towards East Farleigh Lock yesterday. Picture: Geoff Elliott

Four weeks on, and several failed rescue attempts later, Bradley has now moved further along the river.

Yesterday he was spotted by a member of the public swimming towards East Farleigh lock while eating a big fish and playing with it in between the sailing boats.

It is thought the wayward seal is trapped in the Medway because it will not be able to negotiate the lock gates at Allington.

Previous rescue attempts by British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) have come close but Bradley, who has been described as a lively character, has slipped away each time.

Sheila Stone from BDMLR says teams are continuing to keep an eye on him.

Bradley has been in the River Medway since April 2. Picture: Hawkeye Aerial Media
Bradley has been in the River Medway since April 2. Picture: Hawkeye Aerial Media

She added: "We have had people there all weekend, even at night, so we are still monitoring him.

"He is very canny and very fat. He is feeding really well but the issue is still public disturbance."

The RSPCA previously said the animal appears in good health and is in no danger in the river but urges onlookers - and their pets - to keep their distance.

After spending eight hours with the seal, BDMLR director of the rescue operations Mark Stevens said he suspects the seal is, in fact, a girl.

Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone

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