GRAPHIC Seal Rescue - UNCUT VERSION

This rescue is hard to watch. It happened in July 2020 and we have hesitated since whether we should share this rescue with the world or not. Most of our rescues are quick and easy, exciting and uplifting. The vast majority of entangled seals are released before they even know that they had been in severe trouble, without any major physical or emotional damage. This one was different. He was weak and did not have much time left. He should have been taken to a place with proper rehab facilities under veterinary guidance, which is not available anywhere in Namibia, or even been euthanized if all else fails. He had a piece of fishing line tightly wrapped around his mouth, it had caused so much swelling that you can barely see his nose. The rescuers from Ocean Conservation Namibia patiently assessed the situation before they started removing the fishing line. He relaxed after a while, he even seemed to be supportive, but the extraction must have been very painful for the animal. We hope he survived. We ho