​Watch​ the moment injured ​and exhausted ​seal pups are rescued in Cornwall

Winds of up to 80mph that have hit Cornwall in recent weeks have done more than merely disrupt travel and damage infrastructure - they have also brought danger to local wildlife.

Injured seals have been washing up on shores with broken jaws, abscesses, eye injuries and infected wounds due to the stormy weather.

Several seal pups were as young as several days old when they were found. Prudie was found aged three days old on September 4 last year by the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR). With an ulcer in her right eye and bite marks on her head and body, she still had her mother's umbilical cord attached to her. 

Elizabeth was found when she was between three and four days old on September 3, who was malnourished after having been separated from her mother.

Jane, who was found at seven days old on September 13 with a head injury, died just over a month later.

Each year the rescue team name the found pups according to a theme, with the historical drama Poldark chosen for the 2017/2018 season.

Seal at Blakeney Point
Record numbers of seals have been born this winter Credit: National Trust Ian Ward

The Telegraph has spoken to the team working round the clock to save the animals. Grace Jones, from the Cornish Seal Sanctuary in Gweek, revealed that the number of pups at the sanctuary has almost doubled since last year due to stormy weather.

She told The Telegraph: "Due to the storms they can be battered up against rocks [and] separated from mum. They are exhausted, malourished and underweight.”

There have been 77 calls to rescue seals around Cornwall, Devon and the  Isle of Scilly in January alone - and with more bad weather forecast for the following days, there are concerns the numbers will only increase.

Anyone who sees a seal that seems abandoned, ill or malnourished should contact BDMLR on 01825 765546 (during office hours) or 07787 433412 (out of office hours) or the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.

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