TV vet fails to save adult seal shot in York river (VIDEO)

Emma Milne, one of the vets from BBC's Vets In Practice and a marine mammal medic for the British Divers Marine Life Rescue responded to the call.

She said: "This seal has been resident in Naburn for several years and is somewhat of a celebrity among locals and the visitors to the caravan site.

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"The seal was very thin and weak and after a few days of seeing him on and off we managed to catch him with a great group effort from the Hull and Humberside branch of the BDMLR and lots of members of the public helping."

The wild seal was taken to the RSPCA East Winch centre in Norfolk. It was hoped the creature could be diagnosed, treated and returned to the river.

But after a day at the centre he was x-rayed and found to have been shot in the head, neck and chest with a shotgun. It is believed the wounds had been inflicted about two months previously and the seal had been wasting away ever since.

She added: "These small wounds had healed over and he had been gradually wasting away and becoming sicker. One eye was permanently damaged by the shooting. He was unable to dive properly and could not catch food properly. He was euthanased."

Police and the RSPCA have been informed about the incident. Ms Milne said the seal was one of two believed to have living on the river in the Naburn area.

The seal that was shot was well known and much photographed. A local loch keeper opened the gates to allow it to go up and down the river.

But there were reports that a second seal had also become its companion and Ms Milne said local people were now concerned for its safety as well.