Seal found trapped between two boulders rescued with JCB

A seal has been rescued with the help of a JCB after becoming wedged between two boulders in Westray.

British Drivers Marine Life Rescue volunteers, who cover the coastline of Orkney, were called to rescue a distressed seal on Saturday morning.

The mammal was found wedged tightly between two boulders, only just within reach.

With the help of a local business and HM Coastguard, the medics were able to come up with a plan to set it free.

Seal rescued from between two boulders in Orkney BDMLR Orkney

Sharing news of the rescue on Facebook, the group said: “On arrival, the seal was found wedged tightly between large boulders, deep in the armour and only just within reach.

“With the bitey end facing upwards, it wasn’t possible to safely restrain the seal to begin work. A plan was quickly hatched to remove one of the surrounding boulders to improve access.”

Cooke Scotland provided the rescuers with a team member and a JCB to remove a boulder.

Once it was removed, medics were able to restrain the seal and place it into a makeshift stretcher. It was then carefully returned to the shore.