POLICE are investigating after a seal was found shot dead.

Colchester Council staff spotted the seal washed up at Mersea and recovered the body.

Essex Wildlife Trust and Essex Police were called as it is illegal to shoot seals without a licence and none have been issued along the county's coast.

A licence can be obtained if seals are damaging fishing gear or nets.

Darren Tansley, water for wildlife officer at Essex Wildlife Trust, said: "We don’t know for certain whether this injury was from a gun but if someone out there is now deliberately targeting a species of conservation concern it is a very disappointing development.

"As part of our Living Seas campaign I would urge the public to report any dead seals to either ourselves or the police so we can examine them before they are destroyed."

  • Anyone with information should contact Essex Police Wildlife Crime Officer PC Andy Long at wildlife@essex.pnn.police.uk.