Visitors urged to keep their distance from Norfolk Seals
Closer interactions and litter threaten seals’ survival
A rise in visitors along the Norfolk coast is causing concern for the safety of seal pups and their mothers, according to Friends of Horsey Seals.
Sally Butler, the chair of the group, warns about the dangers of people getting too close to seal colonies, especially during pupping season.
Too much interaction can cause distress to mother seals, leading them to abandon their pups:
"we do see a lot of abandoned pups due to people getting too close to the mums and frightening the mums off."
Sally explains that the common seals are particularly vulnerable this time of year as they rest and digest their food on the beaches:
"Seals have to haul out to digest their food and rest. And what we're seeing is people getting way too close to the seals, scaring mums from pups, and making them go into the seal for long periods of time"
The increase in foot traffic has also led to a rise in litter, posing additional threats to seal colonies.
Debris such as plastic and wood can cause injuries to seals, disrupting their natural habitats and threatening their survival.
"Just take your rubbish home with you. It's ridiculous to leave it, it's just common sense," Sally said.
"In some areas of the country, less than 1% of seal pups make it to adulthood," Sally said, highlighting the dire situation these creatures face.
Despite the growth in seal colonies since hunting has been banned, survival rates remain low due to human interference and environmental factors.
Friends of Horsey Seals, supported by nearly 400 wardens, work to protect seals from Horsey to Winterton during the winter seasons.
Their rescue team operates year-round, saving seals and educating the public to mitigate these threats.
Sally notes that unpredictable weather patterns and storms, exacerbated by climate change, could worsen the situation. Last winter, 1,200 pups were lost in a single storm.
"Our common seals are in massive decline. There are areas where over the last six years they've declined by 45 percent. So this is huge" she said.
Visitors are urged to keep a respectful distance from the seals and properly dispose of waste to protect the delicate marine ecosystem.
For those wanting to support, Butler encourages beachgoers to be mindful of their impact on the wildlife to ensure that future generations can enjoy these magnificent creatures.