A newborn seal pup has been rescued after she was disturbed by people and dogs at a Fife beach.
The days-old female grey seal pup, who has been named Sponge, was found lying on the shore near Tayport on Saturday after she attracted attention from dogs.
Animal rescue officer Robyn Gray of the Scottish SPCA took the pup to the charity's National Wildlife Rescue Centre at Fishcross, Alloa, where she is now receiving treatment and care.
Centre Manager Colin Seddon said: "Sponge is the second white-coated seal pup we've rescued this year and we'll be expecting many more to come into our care over the winter months.
"Although she wasn't sick, she had to be rescued because the close presence of dogs and people was causing her distress and it's likely that this would have prevented her mother from returning to the shore.
"She was proving very difficult to tube feed, which is how we'd normally ensure our seal pups receive all the vital nutrients and calories they need in the early days. However, we tried her with a bottle and she seems to be accepting this happily, so we'll continue bottle feeding her until she's ready to move on to solids."
The Scottish SPCA is now urging members of the public to contact its animal helpline if they see a distressed seal pup lying on the shore this winter, adding that they could be doing more harm than good by approaching or picking it up.
The number to call is 03000 999 999.
Sponge will be cared for at the Scottish SPCA's National Wildlife Rescue Centre until she is fully fit, feeding herself and at the right weight to be released.
