Sarah Jane Brown called in help to rescue the seal
09:51, 19 Feb 2026Updated 09:56, 19 Feb 2026
“On our way into work – pre-coffee, pre-common sense, and absolutely not yet operational – we somehow found ourselves assisting a very determined baby seal”(Image: Cafe Me’N’u, Sarah Jane Brown)
The owners of a Scarborough cafe were forced to open late after spotting a baby seal lying in the middle of a road.
Co-owner of Cafe Me’N’u in Scarbourgh, Sarah Jane Brown, was on her way to work this morning (February 19) when she spotted a baby seal “sleeping” in the middle of the road. Sarah explained that the four-month-old seal had likely come to shore for a “peaceful snooze,” but feared that his grey coat would blend into the tarmac if she did not try to move him.
Sarah said, “We should have opened at 6:30 am, but we took a bit of extra time to stay out and direct traffic around him, in order to keep him safe.”
Making sure no cars approached the pup, Sarah called The British Divers Marine Life Rescue to come and collect him, as she grew increasingly concerned that the seal would be injured in rush-hour traffic.
Rescuers helped guide the seal into a crate and off of the road (Image: Cafe Me’N’u, Sarah Jane Brown)
Sarah said: “After a quick phone call to the heroes at British Divers Marine Life Rescue, (a rescuer) arrived and calmly took charge.
“There was a brief moment of flipper-based indecision, a bit of shuffling about, and then he was gently guided into a crate like the tiny dramatic VIP he is. He’s now having a peaceful snooze as though this morning’s adventure was simply a light stretch before breakfast.”
Sarah said that the team will monitor him throughout the day as he seemed hesitant to enter the water. For now, the seal has been left to rest on the shore – although Sarah has warned about approaching him, should he choose to hang around.
A team member from The British Divers Marine Life Rescue came to collect and release the seal back into the sea (Image: Cafe Me’N’u, Sarah Jane Brown)
Sarah said, “Currently, he is resting on the foreshore near The Grand Hotel Scarborough. If you’re walking your dogs that way, please keep them on a lead and give them plenty of space. Seal pups come ashore to rest and recover, and disturbance can cause them real stress.
“Please keep a respectful distance and allow him the quiet he needs to recover safely.”
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