Dumbledore the seal dies of pneumonia

A seal which was being treated for pneumonia after being found in a farmer’s field before Christmas has died, the UK RSPCA has said.

The young adult grey seal, named Dumbledore, was admitted to RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre for specialist treatment after he was found in a field in Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside, on December 22.

He was more than 20-miles from the sea and was later diagnosed with pneumonia.

In a statement, the RSCPA confirmed he died on Saturday after 26 days of care.

It added: “Sadly, despite all the highly-skilled care and attention he received from staff at RSPCA East Winch, Dumbledore the seal has died.

“Staff at the centre worked tirelessly to make sure Dumbledore was comfortable and to treat him for his ailments. He was found to be suffering from pneumonia and was listless with no appetite.

“While X rays showed he had no trauma from injuries and his severe pneumonia was being treated with antibiotic injections every day his appetite never fully returned.

“The RSPCA is extremely proud of all its staff that worked so hard to care for Dumbledore and tried to help him on the road to recovery.

“Sadly wildlife rehabitation is particularly challenging and, of all the species the wildlife centres take in, seals are one of the more difficult to rehabilitate.”

The centre has around 40 sick seals on site, all of which have been given names related to the Harry Potter books.