Seals 'disturbed and distressed' by crowds who gathered to watch them on Yorkshire beach - with one group even eating fish and chips next to one

One group event sat and ate their fish and chip lunch next to one of the hauled-out seals and Humberside Police are investigating another, more serious incident involving deliberate disturbance.

British Divers Marine Life Rescue volunteers shared images of large numbers of onlookers crowding a seal resting on a slipway and reported that several people had gone too close to the animals to take photographs and ‘make noises’ at them.

The charity said: “There are a lot of young seals hauled out on beaches at the moment right around the UK, including four at Bridlington. They've attracted large crowds of people gathering to take photos. We can completely understand that they're fascinating creatures but we strongly ask the public to keep their distance.

“Approaching them causes disruption to their rest and over an entire day means the animal will not get the sleep it needs to go back out (when ready) to feed. Therefore, losing their energy and sleep puts them into decline.

“That photograph will be long forgotten but it has a lasting effect on that animal, especially when they are approached en masse like today. The team on scene attending to the second seal had to ask the public including those who were sitting eating next to the animal to move on, but still more people approached to make noises and take more photos. We thank the public who did create space to prevent further stress while the seal was assessed and caught.

“If you spot a seal you are concerned about, please call BDMLR who have a 24/7 helpline who will send out medics to assess the animal. While waiting for them to arrive, please keep everyone as far away as possible including children and dogs. Never attempt to drag them out to water or touch them. Also try to avoid posting their location details on social media because like today, people come flocking to see the seal which causes even more disturbance.

“Please don't obstruct the volunteer medics who are attending the animal and please follow their guidance if they need an area clearing. It's for the seal's best interest to prevent further stress.”

Humberside Police said: “We are investigating the report of a deliberate disturbance of a seal which had beached at Bridlington shortly before midnight on Saturday 18 March 2023.

“Two boys aged 17 and a man aged 19 were detained at the scene and will be interviewed about reports of deliberately disturbing the seal.

“Anyone with information about this incident should call our non-emergency number 101 quoting log 672 of 18 March 2023.”

BDMLR volunteer medic Emily Mayman added: “On Sunday four seals hauled out in Bridlington and another up at Whitby, all in areas easily accessible to the public. One seal was taken for further assessment and care as it was found to have cataracts in one eye and a nasty cough. Another young seal hauled out on a slipway to the south of Bridlington where it attracted large crowds leaning over the barrier to reach it or walking down the slipway to be within only a few feet of the young pup.

"Despite advice given to the large crowds to back away to allow the seal to rest, more arrived at the scene to take photographs of the seal with some people having seen the posts on social media and chose to come down to see it. A children's toy and seeds were thrown near the animal at one point, and a family had to be moved on from being sat within 6ft of the animal eating fish and chips.

"This behaviour was disappointing to see, however BDMLR medics hugely appreciate the majority of people who asked interesting questions and respected the animals' space by moving away from where it was hauled out. Fears grew for the seals’ peace as the area was likely to stay busy for some hours to come and the crowd was growing larger, so the decision was made to move the seal pup to a quieter beach to allow it to get the peace it deserved.”

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