The overly friendly seal was taken to rehab after being fed sandwiches, donuts and fish by people on the beach.
The mint seal has become a familiar sight to beachgoers in Plymouth and Cousand Bay, Cornwall.
But despite attempts by experts to overwork her, she became too addicted to the food people gave her and now does not eat.
The RSPCA is currently caring for her at its center in West Hatch, Somerset, but hopes to be able to release her back to sea in Scotland after a period of rehabilitation that will include protecting her from people and reconnecting her. with other seals.
Jessica Collins, of Torpoint in Cornwall, is raising funds for Spearmint’s treatment.
She explained: “Meta is a wild seal that is not guilty of people through no fault of its own.
“Her interest in people has grown since she was released because she was fed regularly by tourists. After repeated relocations, she found Cousand Bay, where a team of volunteers managed to better control the situation and keep people away.
“We all hoped she would get smarter, but once we discovered Plymouth, it became harder and the eating started again and the bad habits remained.
“She recently started going out on the roads and became a real risk for herself and others.”
Dan Jarvis, director of welfare and conservation at British Marine Life Rescue, told BBC Radio 4’s “Today”: boat trips last summer, unfortunately.
“Since she is a very young seal, she was only a few months old at the time, this potentially changed her life for her behavior, because it made her quite accustomed to approaching people and interacting with them.
“We’ve heard of people trying to throw her sandwiches, ice cream and donuts, for example, which, of course, are not normal things she would eat.
RSPCA officials say that in addition to refusing to eat, Spearmint also has pus coming from one of her ears.
She was given antibiotics and injected every other day.
A spokesman said: “Naturally, wildlife can find itself in captivity, even for a short time, fighting, but our experienced team, which specializes in wildlife rehabilitation, is doing everything possible to reduce stress for Spearmint and is trying to catch her released again as soon as possible. “
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