THREE seal pups have been released into Poole Harbour after being discovered severely underweight during the summer.

All three young common seals, two rescued from Portland Harbour and one from South Devon, have been nursed back to health after being cared for by staff at the RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre in Taunton.

The pair rescued at Portland have since been named Enzo and Dodge. Enzo weighed just 11kg when he was discovered - now all three tip the scales at a healthy 35kg.

They were released into the sea by the RSPCA and members of Dorset Wildlife Trust. (DWT)

DWT volunteer marine warden Sarah Hodgson said: "Releasing the seals back into the wild all looking happy and healthy, was a special moment. Being highly mobile animals, we don’t know if they will choose to stay in Poole Harbour with the other resident seals, so it will be interesting to monitor their progress."

Poole Harbour was chosen as the release site following the successful release there of two other common seal pups, Daphne and Rhonda, last November.

Both of these seals have been spotted in the sheltered waters of the harbour since.

Conservationists are able to monitor the progress of the seals via a dedicated 'seal cam' and ID tags, which are attached to the rear flippers of the marine mammals prior to release.

Sarah explained: "Images of the seals and their tag details have been added to our photo identification catalogue so we can record sightings as part of DWT’s seal project."

The seal project was established in 2014 to record more information about common and grey seals around Dorset.

After the latest trio was rescued they learned how to feed for themselves on a diet of fish.

Kirsten Larcombe, from the RSPCA, said: "The best part of this job is seeing an animal we cared for returned back out to the wild where they belong.

"Poole Harbour is a perfect location to release our common seals especially since there is a dedicated team to monitor them post release."

To help with DWT's seal project, visit kimmeridge@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk to report your seal sightings and send photographs.