The seal, found at St Helen's Duver. Picture courtesy of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue.
UPDATED 16:55*
A BABY seal has been transferred to a specialist animal centre after it was found at St Helens Duver.
It followed reports from several Isle of Wight County Press readers who had spotted a seal and pup in the area in recent days.
The female seal, less than one week old, was spotted by members of the public on Friday and Saturday and it has now been taken to the RSPCA's Mallydams Wood Wildlife Centre, West Sussex.
Nigel Dove and Stephan Voigt of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) attended the uninjured seal at St Helens on Saturday.
It was then taken to the Isle of Wight's RSPCA centre in Merstone, where it received fluids for rehydration and treated for a minor infection.
The seal will remain at the West Sussex centre until it is old and mature enough to be released back into the wild.
Mr Voigt, the Isle of Wight's assistant area coordinator for the BDMLR, urged people to be cautious if they spot a seal.
He said: "If people find a live seal they should watch it from a distance.
"Do not approach the animal, as seals regularly haul out on our coasts — it is part of their normal behaviour.
"Therefore, finding a seal on the beach does not mean there is necessarily a problem.
"A healthy seal should be left well alone, however, if you see a seal that may be abandoned, thin or ill, then call for advice and assistance."
*RSPCA nurse Nikki Lambert said the female seal had an infection around its umbilical cord, but no injuries.
She said: "She is very bright, very happy and absolutely fine apart from the infection. We are tube feeding her every three hours because her teeth are only just starting to come through.
"She currently weighs about 8kg. When she weighs 30-35kg she will be released back into the sea locally. At that point - probably in 3 or four months - she will be big enough to fend for herself."
The BDMLR hotline is 01825 765546 or to contact the RSPCA, call 0300 1234 999.
A seal spotted near St Helens. Pictures by Simon Bartholomew.
A seal spotted swimming near St Helens. Picture by Jon Derrington.