A lost seal has been found in a park 13 MILES from the sea.
The pup was seen by a dog walker, but was on its own and not with its mummy.
A wildlife rescuer was stunned when he was called out to the seal so far from the water.
But when Tom Linsel arrived in Wickford Memorial Park, in the Essex town, it had vanished.
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Mr Linsel, of South Essex Wildlife Hospital, found it an hour later near a shallow part of the River Crouch, which runs through the park.
It is understood that the seal may have travelled through several towns and at least one set of river locks to get to the park.
A spokesman for the South Essex Wildlife Hospital said: “What is the last thing you expect to find in the middle of a park in Wickford?
“Definitely a baby seal.
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“Luckily, after over an hour of searching, the pup was spotted on the edge of a muddy bank – about 500m from the original Location – and a now very muddy Tom pulled him to safety.
“Amazingly only a few people noticed Tom walking back to the ambulance with a seal pup in his arms.”
The newly rescued seal pup is now on the road to recovery at the hospital, as reported on What’s The Jam.
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Operations Manager, Lawrie Brailey, added: “Once back at the hospital the pup was cleaned and checked for any signs of injury before starting a course of rehydration and medication.
“He is now recovering well and is already getting to know three other pups in our seal hospital.”
The South Essex Wildlife Hospital serves the whole of South Essex and beyond, and works tirelessly all year round to nurse sick and injured animals back to full health.
Locals were shocked the seal was found so far away from the sea.
Michelle Collier said: “Wow, that would have travelled through Hullbridge and Battlesbridge to get there.”
Teresa Palmer replied: “I’m in Hullbridge.
“I’m guessing by the beautiful full moon at 3.30am this morning.
“It is currently spring tide but he would have had to get past the lock at Battlesbridge wouldn’t he?”
But Sue Geeves simply said: “People are so oblivious to their surroundings – what a lucky seal.”
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