Appeal launched for funds to send rare T-Rex home (From Western Telegraph)

Appeal launched for funds to send rare T-Rex home

A rare hooded seal found on Little Haven beach last Saturday may have to travel to Scotland in an ice-filled truck if money cannot be raised to charter a plane.

The seal is currently in Milford Haven's Seal Hospital but animal rescuer, Terry Leadbetter fears that the longer it stays out of its normal arctic climate, the worse its health will get.

Staff at the rescue centre wanted to call the seal Terry - or perhaps Theresa - but no-one has been able to get close enough to find out for sure. As a compromise, it has now become known as T-Rex - quite a fitting name for a decidedly grumpy creature.

Hooded seals are notoriously bad tempered and Mr Leadbetter said that T-Rex makes the grey seals he usually deals with look very tame indeed. The fierce temperament of the hooded seal is partly due to their very short nursing period. A hooded pup will spend just four days with its mother before being left to fend for itself.

T-Rex is thought to be around four months old and weighs just over 30 kilos. The animal is said to be in good health considering its mammoth 2,000 mile detour with nothing to show for its travels except a small cut on its flipper.

Chartering a plane from Withybush Airport to take T-Rex up to Wick in Scotland, where it can be released into the Arctic Ocean, will cost £2,750. The Seal Hospital is appealing for donations to help send T-Rex home.

Anyone wishing to lend their support should call Mr Leadbetter on 01646 692943.

Caption: The rare hooded seal.

PICTURE: Terry Leadbetter.