A rogue one-eyed seal has eaten fish worth £3,000 after making its home in a fishing lake.
The grey seal has munched its way through carp, bream, and catfish.
It’s also taken to eating the ducks during its unwanted three weeks’ stay.
Now, Mark Hall Fisheries in Essex has been forced to close the lake.
The RSPCA, Essex Rural Police, and the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) have all tried to capture the mammal.
Nick North – who leases the lake from Rochford District Council – said:
“It’s ridiculous.
“It’s ruining my business.
“It could probably get out if it wanted to, but it won’t go.
“It’s got never-ending food supplies.”
Mr North reckons he’s lost stock worth £3,000 and over £500 a day in ticket sales.
The grey seal, aged around one, has a suspected blind eye but experts say it’s not life-threatening.
A spokesperson from BDLMR said:
“We are currently the lead agency dealing with a seal which has found its way into a fishing lake near Southend.
“Tranquilisers and electrofishing do not work on seals due to their insulating fat and risks to the fish population.
“We do want this animal to be relocated as much as the angling community do – it cannot exhibit normal ‘seal’ behaviour on its own (they are social, colony animals).
“All agencies involved appreciate the detrimental effect on the other species in the lake.”
