Baby seal found in garden miles from sea

17:12:20 23rd December 2009

A seal pup found by a family in their back garden, 18 miles away from the shore has been nicknamed Rudolph.

The water-dwelling animal was spotted by Harriet Dwyer in Benenden, Kent, splashing in the garden's pond.

It was moved to an animal rescue centre by the RSPCA, who were contacted by the family and the organisation is now caring for the seal.

Experts believe the creature may have reached the inland village by swimming up a river from the English channel.

Ms Dwyer's father Professor Tim Dwyer told Associated Press: "It was bizarre. My daughter was out with our dog Jack in the snow when she came in and said 'There's a seal in the garden'.

"I said 'No, it must be an otter'. We all went out and under the hedge was a seal looking quite chirpy and slithering around in the snow."

The Royal Horticultural Society offers advice for gardeners on attracting wildlife to their gardens.

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