Visitors to Scarborough's beaches are being urged to stay at least one hundred metres away from resting seals to avoid causing the animals unnecessary stress.
Seals resting on Scarborough's beaches face severe stress and disturbance from curious onlookers getting too close for photographs.
A number of the marine mammals have been spotted recently on the sands of North Bay and South Bay. This influx has prompted urgent advice from animal welfare experts on how the public should behave when encountering them.
Visitors are being warned that approaching the animals can trigger panic for the creatures, which use the shoreline as a vital place to rest and recover.
Emily Mayman from British Marine Divers Rescue said:
"We do seem to be getting quite a few seal pups hauling up onto local beaches and typically they will always draw a bit of curiosity. We have had a couple of adults as well. As always, every seal can pack quite a nasty bite, but especially the adults. They are pretty big seals. We are just trying to offer a bit of advice on the best conduct to behave around them. So the best thing to do is just keep your distance. We always do advise 100 meters away if at all possible. It just means you're well away from the animal. They're not going to be that aware of your presence if at all. It just allows them to rest and not to be stressed about what you're doing and what you may be considering doing."
The presence of both pups and fully grown adults on the shoreline often draws crowds, with people attempting to take pictures or allowing pets to approach.
However, well-meaning members of the public can cause significant harm by interacting with the creatures or attempting to force them back into the sea.
Marine rescue experts stress that seals are semi-aquatic and spend a large portion of their time out of the water to sleep and digest food.
Emily added:
"If people are approaching for photographs, if they're trying to get close with their children or dogs, it does cause disturbance. It can cause lots of stress in the animal. So, if you can just keep away a sensible distance, it just allows the animal to get its rest. It's the same for not putting them back in the water or trying to get them wet. They are semi-aquatic animals. They are very, very used to being on a beach resting, going to sleep, digesting, and all the normal things that seals do. They don't need to be in the water, and they don't need to be wet."
Anyone walking along North Bay or South Bay is urged to remain mindful of their surroundings and to ensure children and dogs are kept at a safe distance from any resting marine life.
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