Seal Pup Seeks Shelter From Storm on Car Dashboard

An adventurous seal pup has created a buzz online after it was spotted on a car dashboard, seeking shelter from the Scotland storm.

The little seal pup, who wriggled its way through the storm and safely parked itself inside the vehicle at a ferry terminal in South west Scotland, has been named 'Smartie'.

The 6-week-old male seal pup that was spotted at the Cairnryan ferry terminal was rescued by the Scottish SPCA. Every attempt was made to drive back the seal into the water, but all efforts went in vain, as the little seal pup refused to move and continued to stay there. Worried over the safety of the seal, a worker put the animal in the boot of the car but the clever seal wriggled its way to the dashboard.

Animal Rescue Officer Alistair Hill said in a press statement, "The seal pup had made its way into the lorry park via a steep, man-made banking. It would have taken a lot of effort for him to get up there and he had no intention of returning to the choppy waters."

The seal received its named after its adventurous move. Smartie is recovering at the National Rescue Centre near Alloa.

According to Colin Seddon, the Centre Manager, the pup was feeble and dehydrated when rescued, but is recovering at the center. He is currently kept in an individual seal pen which provides both a wet and dry area. Later, he will join other seals and get used to swimming and feeding in deep waters.

Smartie will be returned to the wild within a month only if his condition is stable and has completely recovered.