A highly unusual jet-black seal pup found abandoned after experts think he was attacked and bullied by fellow seals because of his colour is recuperating at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary in Gweek.

Christened Badger, the two-week-old grey seal pup had an ulcerated eye and a variety of scars and wounds which his rescuers believe may have been inflicted by other seals wary of his very different appearance.

“When he arrived he had an infection and was struggling to feed himself, but after a course of antibiotics and some TLC he soon started to recover,” said the sanctuary's animal care team supervisor Tamara Cooper.

“When he moulted his infant coat the coat beneath was inky black,” she added.

“Black pups are very rare, and more usually found among the Scottish population. We haven't had a Black Pup since 2007.”

Staff named the new arrival, who was found on Porthellick in the Scillies, after the First Comics superhero Badger, as he has very similar colouring to a Badger and follows the rescue pups naming theme that the Sanctuary have chosen.

“We chose the theme of superheroes for the names of all our rescued pups this winter, and Badger just seemed the perfect choice for our all-black newcomer,” said Tamara.

Badger has been moved into the Nursery Pools and is now feeding himself, and if all goes well should be ready to resume life in the wild by early March next year.