A baby seal rescued from drowning by tourist boat skippers has died, aquarium staff have confirmed.
The female pup was recovered from the North Sea near the Farne Islands, off the Northumberland coast, approximately 10 days ago. She was taken into care at the Blue Reef Aquarium in Tynemouth, where members of its Seal Rescue Unit expressed devastation at her passing.
Named Macca after one of her rescuers, William McPhee, the seal struggled despite intensive care. The rescue unit noted that 'very low weight, near drowning and probable pneumonia and breathing problems' ultimately proved insurmountable.
—
Mr McPhee and fellow skipper Andrew Weightman discovered the young seal off South Scarcar Island while conducting a tour for day-trippers.
