A thin gray seal pup surfaced beside a fisherman on Boxing Day in Horning after likely swimming about 20 miles (32 km) inland up the River Bure. In an unusual turn, both the fish the angler had hooked and the seal ended up in his keep net, prompting a rescue. The pup, named Sunshine, weighed under 26 lbs (12 kg) — far below a healthy range — and was taken to RSPCA East Winch for care, where it is being fed nutrient-rich fish soup while staff monitor its recovery.
Boxing Day Surprise: Fisherman Nets Underweight Seal Pup After Both Chase Same Fish on Norfolk River
Friends of Horsey Seals CharitySurprised angler nets seal
On Boxing Day, a thin gray seal pup unexpectedly surfaced beside a fisherman rowing on the River Bure in the village of Horning — roughly 11 miles (18 km) from the Norfolk coast. In a remarkable twist, both the fish the angler had just caught and the seal ended up in his keep net, prompting a rescue call to local volunteers.
Rescue And Condition
Volunteers from Friends of Horsey Seals believe the pup swam inland from the sea, likely entering the River Bure at Great Yarmouth and travelling upstream to Horning — a river journey of approximately 20 miles (32 km). When rescuers arrived they found the pup weighed just under 26 lbs (12 kg), well below the typical healthy weight range for a pup of that age (about 66–99 lbs / 30–45 kg).
Friends of Horsey Seals CharityGray seal pup in net
Because of its poor condition, the seal was transported to RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre near King’s Lynn for assessment and care. Staff at the centre are feeding the animal a nutrient-rich fish soup and monitoring it closely while it regains strength. The pup has been nicknamed "Sunshine".
Unusual Circumstances
"He'd caught a fish and was trying to get it into his keep net, and the seal went in behind the fish," volunteer Sally Butler told the BBC. "As long as it starts feeding on its own, hopefully it will be OK."
Friends of Horsey Seals noted that the incident stood out not only for how far inland the pup had travelled but also for the unlikely way it was discovered. The charity also handled 49 other rescue calls that day, reflecting how busy the holiday pupping season can be along the Norfolk coast at places such as Sea Palling, Horsey and Winterton-on-Sea.
Friends of Horsey Seals CharitySurprised' angler nets seal 20 miles up river
What To Do If You Find A Seal
While seals sometimes travel upriver, rescues so far inland are rare. If you encounter a seal pup, keep dogs and people at a safe distance, avoid trying to move or feed the animal yourself, and contact local wildlife rescuers or the RSPCA for guidance.
PEOPLE and Friends of Horsey Seals shared photos of the rescue and volunteers preparing to transfer the pup for treatment. The community and rescuers will continue to monitor Sunshine's recovery at RSPCA East Winch.
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