Storm washes live seal onto west coast beach

A powerful storm swept a live seal onto a beach near Vester Vedsted, south of Ribe, DR reports. A dead duck and plastic, driftwood and paraffin oil also washed ashore after the storm raised water levels along Jutland’s west coast.

Jan Ryttergaard, a nature guide at the Wadden Sea Centre in Vester Vedsted, said it is not unusual for autumn storms to wash objects ashore. Seal pups have also been carried inland before. After storms last winter, some were found in a village a couple of kilometres from the coast, he said.

Ryttergaard said the amount of plastic washing ashore suggests there is a lot of it in the Wadden Sea and should prompt people to consider how much plastic they use.

Storms can also benefit nature by disturbing the landscape, creating habitats for animals and plants. Decaying plant material provides nutrients for other plants, he said.

The seal became frightened when it noticed a DR reporter and Ryttergaard on the beach, then returned to the Wadden Sea.