Back garden seal to be released

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A baby seal which was found in a Kent back garden, 18 miles from the sea, will be released in East Sussex.

The pup, which the RSPCA said was less than a year old, was found in a stream in the Dwyer family's garden in Benenden when they let out their dog.

It is thought the seal got into the stream from the River Rother, which meets the English Channel at Rye.

The RSPCA has been caring for the seal, named Gulliver, at Mallydams Wood Wildlife Centre near Hastings.

Keeper Elaine Crouch said baby seals often became separated from their mothers in bad weather such as storms or floods.

"This one is a really good weight, and not starving but has been completely lost," she said.

"She has a tag from Belgium, probably put on by the rehabilitation centre at Ostend, then she got into the River Rother and ended up in the stream."