19th February 2016. A rescued seal named after one of Santa’s reindeer after being washed ashore before Christmas has been released back into the wild. 

Blitzen was adopted by the team at NCI Mundesley after being found underweight and dehydrated at the local beach by a member of the station. He had a swollen muzzle and had suffered bite marks to his shoulders, hips and flippers, as well as being hypoglycemic.

However, two months after his discovery, he has made a remarkable recovery, having been nursed back to health by the Sea Life sanctuary at Hunstanton. Now a healthy 45kg, more than double the weight recorded when he arrived, Blitzen was released back into the sea last week at Winterton and was led home by Rudolph, another seal rescued nearby.

Mundesley Coastwatch has praised the work of the volunteer marine medics who helped save the seals. Bob White, Sstation Manager at NCI Mundesley  said: “It was lovely, the whole thing went ever so well for them. They found it quite a touching experience.”