What began as a routine fishing trip on the River Bure in Norfolk turned into an extraordinary wildlife rescue story this holiday season, when a stunned fisherman unexpectedly netted a lost and underweight grey seal pup 20 miles inland from the coast.

The dramatic encounter occurred near Horning, where the fisherman was out in his row boat when the hungry seal suddenly appeared and went after his day's catch of fish. Incredibly, the seal ended up caught in the fisherman's keep net alongside the fish, prompting an immediate call to local wildlife rescue services.

The seal pup, now affectionately named Sunshine, likely originated from the Sea Palling colony near Horsey Gap, which hosts one of the United Kingdom's largest grey seal populations. Representatives from Friends of Horsey Seals described the incident as 'one of the strangest seal rescue stories' they had encountered, noting the unusual circumstances of the pup's river journey.

Wildlife experts believe the seal did not travel over land, but instead swam upstream from Great Yarmouth—a remarkable 20-mile river journey. When the rescue team arrived, they immediately recognized the pup was significantly underweight, measuring just 12 kilograms when most seals of similar age typically range between 30 to 45 kilograms.

After careful assessment, the RSPCA shelter took custody of Sunshine, where the young seal began its recovery process. The charity's representatives expressed optimism about the pup's chances, highlighting the fortunate nature of its unexpected rescue.

With approximately 3,000 grey seal pups born in the region each season, Sunshine's story serves as a heartwarming reminder of the unexpected ways wildlife and human compassion can intersect, especially during the holiday season.