We have been sent a very distressing video filmed on Horsey Beach this week. It shows a group of visitors including a small child who got far too close to a group of seals, even touching one and chasing it into the sea.
Pregnant seals have to come out of the sea to rest at this time of year and people should stay at least 10 metres from the seals at all times – there are clear signs with this advice at the entrance to Horsey Beach. By chasing, antagonising and being too close to the seals, this group put the seals, their unborn pups and in fact, themselves and their small child at great risk. The seals when harassed are more likely to lose their unborn pups through stress, so this kind of human behaviour (which is so avoidable) is disheartening to witness.
We’re incredibly grateful that the majority of visitors maintain a suitable distance from the seals but sadly there have already been reports of other incidents along the beach this year. We call upon all members of the public to respect the needs of the seals and set a good example so that they (and the seals) are kept safe.
This year, we have mobilised our trained Seal Wardens earlier than ever before to protect seals from this increased level of avoidable disruption. We understand that after a long period of Covid related restrictions and lockdowns, people are very eager to get outside and have fun, but we feel strongly that this shouldn’t come at the price of the safety of the seals.
A petition to the Government has been raised to introduce additional legislation for the protection of seals from behaviour such as this and we seek to raise 100,000 signatures so that it is debated in Parliament. Please support us by signing the petition here:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/584224
