A SEAL that has caused a stir in the rivers Wye and Monnow over recent weeks, was due to be relocated across the country before heading upstream from the River Severn.

Dubbed Keith by river-side residents, the female animal has gathered attention from far and wide, but not all welcome the aquatic tourist's presence in the local rivers.

The animal's existence in the River Severn has been monitored by national body the Angling Trust over several months, because of concerns it is eating its way through limited fish numbers.

The trust had gained all permissions necessary to relocate the seal at the end of autumn 2013, before the rivers rose and the seal recently headed up the Wye.

"We didn't see the seal for a long time, but the signs are that the one in the River Wye now is the same as the one as we saw in the Severn last year. The markings seem to be the same," said chief executive of the Angling Trust, Mark Lloyd.

"We wanted to move the seal out of the estuary into its natural habitat. We wanted to rescue it.

"We had planned to herd the seal into one of the River Severn's many locks, before netting it and moving it down to the south west of England, where it would not find its way back up the estuary.

"The British Divers Marine Wildlife Rescue were ready to conduct the move, before the rivers rose and the task became impossible."

It is thought that the seal was probably tempted in-land by salmon, which are protected in both the Severn and Wye. It is illegal for a fisherman to kill a salmon in the River Wye, as numbers have dropped to a worrying level in recent years.

"If the seal hangs around in particular spots, such as below a weir or anywhere where that fish shelter, it can have a severe effect on fisheries," added Mr Lloyd.

"The River Wye is a very popular fishing destination and the area relies heavily on angling for tourism. The Wye and Usk Foundation charity has spent thousands on restoring rivers over the past few years."

Other species of fish favoured by the seal are pike and the extremely rare shad.

There are currently no plans to move the seal while it is in the River Wye. Plans will continue if it reappears in the River Severn.

The seal has not been seen in Monmouth for a few days, but sightings have been reported further up the river in Symonds Yat and Lydbrook.