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Seal found in Norfolk garden
seal in Norfolk garden
“It’s not uncommon for seals to venture up rivers away from the sea looking for food and they normally manage to find their way back.”
Lost animal made it back to the sea for the new year

A grey seal in search of a new home on New Year’s Eve mistakenly made his way into a Norfolk garden, 2km from the sea.

The lost wanderer was spotted among the trees and shrubbery by a woman at her holiday home in Blakeney.

RSPCA animal collection officer Naemi Kilbey said the seal had made his way into the garden, which is just off a coastal road, through a fence. It is thought he came inland from the sea along the River Glaven, just a short distance from the garden where he was found.

“It’s not uncommon for seals to venture up rivers away from the sea looking for food and they normally manage to find their way back,” Kilbey explained.

“But it looks like this guy’s internal navigation system got a bit frazzled and he ended up a little lost! The lady certainly had a shock when she spotted him lazing around in her shrubbery!”

Fortunately, the seal had no obvious injuries or illnesses so officers released him back into the sea on New Year’s Day.

“It was so lovely to start the new year watching him swim back out to sea where he belongs,” Kilbey added. “Hopefully, he’ll find the new home he was looking for somewhere that’s a little more seal-friendly!”

Image © RSPCA

 

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.