A number of grey baby seals have been rescued from beaches along the South East Cornwall coastline, after becoming separated from their mothers during the recent stormy seas. 

Some have been found in a weakened state needing assistance, while others have  been exhausted by their battle in huge waves, and have come ashore for a rest.

The Rame Peninsula Beach Care team is urging people not to approach a seal pup, as they can give a nasty bite when distressed, but to call the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), which has up to 100 trained volunteers in Cornwall, or the RSPCA. Dog owners are also being advised to keep their animals away from seals as they can carry the distemper virus.

A spokesperson for the BDMLR said: 'The young seals are coming in because of the bad weather, and may just be resting. Many people don't realise that seals spend most of their time out of the water. However, we will respond to every call. Some may be fully weaned and will make their own way back into the sea, while others may still be reliant on their mothers and will need some help. We will want to check over every reported case.'

A pup was discovered next to the phone box in the Seaton Cafe car park, but went into the sea again unaided, while sadly another was found dead on the beach.

Another pup was discovered in the middle of a load of debris from the storm at Tregonhawke beach on Whitsand Bay. It was monitored by the RSPCA and eventually went back into the sea of its own accord.  

Looe Coastguard called the RSPCA after a small pup, believed to be between three- and six-weeks old, weak and under weight, was found at Hannafore.

A pup so weak it could barely lift its head was found under the clock tower at Kingsand, and was rescued by the BDMLR, while another was found squashed and struggling inside a blackthorn bush at Cawsand. 

Both of the Cawsand Bay pups were taken to the marine rescue centre at West Hatch, Taunton.

A BDMLR vet who treated the clock tower seal said that each pup season there is a theme for names and this year it is space. 'We have named her Asteroid, and she has been on a five- day course of injections of antibiotics and anti- inflammatory drugs which will also help with the abrasion on her back, probably from rocks.

'It's been a busy three months so far for this seal pup season. The facility we have at the vets normally treats four to eight in a season, but Asteroid was number 36 of this winter so far. We don't know why we are getting so many. Maybe it's just the run of storms when these pups were weaned at 16-21 days old.'

Asteroid has since been transferred to the RSPCA Wildlife Centre in Somerset and will be released back into the sea when she reaches the healthy weight of 40kg.

To report a seal pup causing concern call the BDLMR on 01825 765546 or the RSPCA on 0300 1234999.