Seal pup found with bullet hole

A shocked tourist found the animal’s body during a walk at Singing Sands, Port Ellen, on Islay, on Friday, Aberdeen Press and Journal reported.

Police on Islay are investigating. A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police said photographs of the dead seal are being sent to the Seal Protection Agency, which may carry out an autopsy to establish the cause of death, the newspaper wrote.

Environmentalist Mark Carter is on a hunger strike to draw attention to the dwindling number of seals in the British Isles. He wants to see an end to the practice of seals being shot near fish farms and fishermen’s nets.

It is legal for seals to be shot in Scotland, provided the correct rifle is used and it is done outside the animals’ breeding season.

The Scottish Government is currently working on a Marine Bill, which will bring in new rules for the protection of seals.