THE FIRST SEAL to be released into the wild after the Scottish SPCA teamed up with Deep Sea World was let loose at Aberdour yesterday.

Vic, a three-foot-long common seal weighing 37 kilos, had been nursed back to health after coming down with an eye infection.

After receiving treatment for the infection at the SSPCA’s Middlebank Wildlife Centre, Vic spent a month regaining his strength at Deep Sea World’s new sanctuary, which was opened in June to help rehabilitate sick and orphaned seals.

Sandra Bonar, who manages the centre, said, “Vic began his journey to Scotland three months ago after being tagged by a seal rehabilitation unit in Skegness, Lincolnshire.

“One month later he was found near Arbroath with a severe eye infection, and he was taken to the soci-ety’s Middlebank Wildlife Centre in Dunfermline for veterinary treatment.

“After the infection cleared, Vic was taken to Deep Sea World in North Queensferry for a period of recuperation and to build up his strength in the enormous seawater pools.”

Ms Bonar was confident the seal would thrive once back in the wild.

“The Firth of Forth is home to hundreds of seals and there is a good supply of fish,” she said.

Chris Rowe, spokesperson for Deep Sea World, added, “The main reason for keeping him at Deep Sea World has been to build up his fat reserves.”