Beachgoers’ feeding habits force wildlife experts to retrain Spearmint before sea release
A wild seal dubbed Spearmint is now undergoing rehabilitation after developing an over-reliance on human-provided food in Plymouth. Experts say that the seal became accustomed to beachgoers feeding her doughnuts, sandwiches and fish, leading to her current situation.
Spearmint will now be taken through a process to reduce her human interaction and restore her natural instincts before being released back into the wild from a remote location in Scotland. According to Dan Jarvis, director of welfare and conservation at British Marine Life Rescue, the issue stems from young seals learning to rely on handouts instead of hunting for their own food.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Jarvis explained: “The problem began when Spearmint was fed by humans on the pier or during boat trips last summer. At just a few months old, this created behavioural changes that could have long-lasting effects on her ability to survive.”
He added that over the summer, large crowds gathering on the beach caused further issues, with reports of antisocial behaviour, such as people throwing stones at the seal and using children to sit on her for photos. Feeding her inappropriate items, including sandwiches and ice cream, only exacerbated the issue. “Feeding her fish caused the most significant problem,” Jarvis noted.
The RSPCA intervened after Spearmint refused the food being offered and showed signs of infection, including pus from her right ear. She was transported to their West Hatch Wildlife Centre in Taunton, Somerset, where she began a course of antibiotics and is receiving injections every other day.
An RSPCA spokesperson said: “A specialist vet confirmed that she was not eating and had pus coming from her ear. Wild animals struggle in captivity, even briefly, but our experienced wildlife rehabilitation team are working hard to reduce her stress and ensure she can return to the wild as soon as possible.”
Spearmint’s recovery will involve reducing her exposure to humans, rebuilding her natural caution, and encouraging socialisation with other seals to prepare her for life back in the wild.
