Sage the seal pup being cared for at Sea Life Hunstanton

When the pup was discovered by a member of the public in Wells, she was 3kg underweight and still had both her umbilicus and her fluffy lanugo coat, which is normally shed at birth.

The severity of her situation means she requires round-the-clock care, including five liquid meals per day and regular weigh-ins, so she was taken in by the animal care team at Sea Life Hunstanton.

Sage was found to still have both her umbilicus and her fluffy lanugo coat, which is usually shed at birth (Image: Sea Life Hunstanton)

The specialists, who named her Sage, now face a period of early starts and late finishes to ensure she has the best possible chance of rehabilitation.

Sage's care programme includes a weaning plan which will see fish gradually introduced to her current diet of soup.

The team is aware they may not know all of her complications yet and will carefully monitor her in the coming days and weeks until her planned release later this year.

READ MORE: Seal 'severely wounded' by plastic ring given 'second chance'

She is now receiving round-the-clock care (Image: Sea Life Hunstanton)

Sophie Negus, assistant curator at Sea Life Hunstanton, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer abandoned and injured seal pups across our Norfolk coastline a place to recover and be rehabilitated.

"Without rescue and rehabilitation programmes like the one at Sea Life Hunstanton, local seal populations would almost certainly decrease so it’s vital that we continue to look after the seals in need that turn up on our coastlines."

She added that not every seal pup that appears during the breeding season will be in need of help.

READ MORE: Thousands of seals gather to moult their worn-out winter fur on Norfolk beach

Sophie Negus said she was delighted the centre could offer help to abandoned and injured pups (Image: Sea Life Hunstanton)

"It’s very common to find younger seals resting on the beaches as they get used to navigating their way in life so not all pups are in need of help," Ms Negus said.

If a member of the public spots a seal pup and has any concerns they can call either Sea Life Hunstanton or the British Divers Marine Life Rescue who will be able to go and professionally assess its needs.