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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