North Yorkshire Police Issue Seal Advice

Saturday, 31 January 2026 21:35

Recently, a young seal has been resting on the beach in Scarborough, and it’s understandably attracted a lot of attention from members of the public.

North Yorkshire Police have issued the following advice:

'While it’s lovely to see wildlife up close, it’s important we all do our part to keep marine wildlife — and the public — safe.

'It’s not unusual to see seals resting on our coastline — they often haul out onto beaches to rest, digest food, or escape rough seas. Most of the time, they’re perfectly fine and simply need space. If you come across a seal, please follow these simple steps to keep both you and the animal safe:

✅ Do:

Give the seal plenty of space — at least 100 metres if possible.

Keep dogs on a lead and children close by to avoid disturbing or frightening the seal.

Observe quietly from distance. Loud noises or sudden movement can cause stress.

Look out for signs of injury such as bleeding, entanglement, or the seal appearing very thin.

Report concerns to the appropriate wildlife rescue organisation if the seal appears sick, injured, or is being disturbed.

❌ Don’t:

Do NOT approach, touch, or attempt to move the seal. They can bite and are powerful animals.

Don’t push the seal back into the sea. Resting on land is normal and necessary for their health.

Don’t feed the seal. This can cause harm and encourages dangerous behaviour.

Please don’t approach the seal to take photographs or selfies. Repeated close contact can cause significant stress and may influence how a young animal perceives people. This can lead to lasting behavioural changes as the animal grows older.

📞 Who to Contact if You’re Worried

'If the seal looks injured, underweight, in distress, or if people are interfering with it, please contact:

British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR): 01825 765546

RSPCA (England & Wales) Emergency Line: 0300 1234 999

Local wildlife or coastguard services if the seal is in immediate danger.'

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