A SEAL pup which had been abandoned by its mother was severely underweight when it was picked up by an animal charity on Christmas Eve.

Nanta the seal did not even have the energy to make it back to the water when RSPCA inspector Clive Hopwood rescued the pup from Hythe beach in Kent.

He rushed the malnourished mammal west, across the border, to the RSPCA Mallydams Wood Wildlife Centre in Hastings for rehabilitation.

The Argus: Nanta the sealNanta the seal

Clive said: “This pup was really lethargic, usually when we approach seals they will try to go back into the water but this little pup was too weak to try and get away from me so I collected him and took him to the centre in Hastings.”

The grey seal was just 17.7kg when he was brought in - a fraction of a healthy weight for a seal his age.

He was placed on antibiotics and given plenty of herring to eat to help build him back up to full strength.

As his recovery began, staff at the centre named him Nanta after an Ewok featured in the Star Wars films.

The pup, who is believed to be between just four and eight weeks old, has now started eating on his own and is already showing signs of progress.

The Argus: Nanta the sealNanta the seal

Clive said: “He’s looking a lot brighter and absolutely loves the water which is all good news. 

“Let’s hope Nanta has put on a few pounds over the last week with lots of tasty Christmas (fish) dinners.”

Clive also provided advice to anyone who spots a seal pup on their own on a beach in Sussex.

He said: “This pup was obviously in distress, but not all lone seal pups have been abandoned or are in need of help. 

“If you find a seal pup that looks fit and healthy and shows no signs of distress monitor it first from a safe distance for 24 hours.  

“Please don’t touch seal pups, as they can give a nasty bite, and keep children, dogs and other animals away from them.

“If the mother does not return within 24 hours, or you think that the pup is sick or injured – please keep a safe distance and call our advice and cruelty line on 0300 1234 999.”

Brighton Dolphin Project has recorded two sightings of seals off Brighton beach already this year.

The first was seen on the afternoon of January 2, frolicking playfully in the water at Brighton Marina.

The second was spotted off the beach between Brighton Marina and the Palace Pier on January 6 by 22-year-old Lily Pichon during her family’s first post-isolation walk.