A newborn seal pup abandoned by its mother is being cared for by animal welfare workers.
The pup, which has been named Clipper, was found lying on the shoreline in Dingwall in the Highlands with its umbilical cord still attached.
Tourists and dog walkers noticed the youngster calling out for his mother while lying on the grass near Ferry Road. The Scottish SPCA said the seal’s mother may have left the pup to search for food but feared returning to the busy spot.
Clipper is being looked after at the charity’s rescue centre at Fishcross near Alloa, Clackmannanshire.
Colin Seddon, from the centre, said: “It’s unfortunate that this pup was born in an area that is busy during the day with dog walkers and tourists, so there’s a high chance that mum has been prevented from returning to her pup due to her natural fear of people and other animals.
“We advise members of the public who discover uninjured seal pups on the shore not to disturb them as the mothers will leave them there for several hours while they are out in the water hunting for food.
“However, in this instance Clipper had been left for over 24 hours and the presence of people and dogs would have been adding to his distress, so our help was required.
“After some initial rehydration fluids, Clipper is now being tube-fed a type of fish soup which contains vital nutrients he needs for growth and good health.
“We’ll continue to rehabilitate Clipper at the centre until he is strong enough to be released.”
The charity said Clipper is the first of many harbour seal pups it expects to rescue this summer. The pups that go into its care are often orphaned, injured or alone and too young to survive by themselves.