THE “Shoreham seal” has finally been captured after five attempts.

The common grey seal hit the headlines earlier this year after joining a member of the Shoreham Rowing Club on his canoe.

But concerns were raised about her health after discharge was seen coming from her nose and mouth and vets reported she was coughing and pawing at the side of her face.

The first rescue attempt was in April but after vets noticed the seal’s condition had worsened last week, the decision was made to get her in urgently for treatment.

A spokeswoman from Coastway Vets in Shoreham, which has been helping with efforts to catch the seal, said: “On close-up examination she had certainly lost weight and appeared to be passing a little blood from her rear end.

“That being said, she’s a wild animal and certainly made the medic work for their result.”

The injured seal was captured into a cage with help from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue and driven to Brighton.

Once there, she was transferred into another vehicle and taken to the RSPCA near Hastings.

The charity then conducted a number of “thorough tests” and has found lungworm – a type of type of parasitic worm.

Her body was also in a bad condition.

But the RSPCA is optimistic the seal will make a full recovery.

The Coastway spokeswoman said: “While the last few months have been a lovely experience for us, it is not in her best interests to be too familiarised as she is a wild animal.

“She’s very independent, but a seal is vulnerable when on its own.

“There are family groups not too far away from here and we hope that is what is in her future. But first, we are keeping our fingers crossed for treatment.”

After checking a tag on the seal, medics discovered the seal had a surprising upbringing.

They found she had grown up in a seal sanctuary in Norfolk.

She was released in January and since then, has made her way to the Sussex coast.

Upon hearing of her rescue, one Shoreham resident said: “A massive thank you to everyone involved who never gave up but kept pushing to try and get this poor girl the treatment she so desperately needs. Well done each and every one of you.”