27 August 2023 , 12:16
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A woman has been accused of "breathtaking stupidity" after picking up a baby seal on the beach moments after sealife experts told her to leave it alone.
The tragic pup died after she lifted the struggling creature and wrapped it up in her coat. The animal died of shock after it was discovered on a Horsey beach near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.
The unnamed lady reported the find to the Marine and Wildlife Rescue who told her exactly what to do. She was instructed to leave it alone while they sent help but she took matters into her own hands as she was slammed by locals for going against what the experts told her.
A spokesperson for the group said: “We received a call for this seal pup. The pup was picked up and wrapped in a coat even though we instructed the caller to leave the seal pup alone to be checked in the morning. This pup was subjected to unnecessary suffering as a result.”
Friends of Horsey Seals were outraged by the incident. They pleaded with the public, warning them to leave the babies alone and a spokesperson for the protection group said: “Please, no matter how tempted you are, do not pick up seals from the beach. Harbour seals are very sensitive and can easily go into a state of shock like this one did and has passed away.”
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Every year, thousands of pups are born on the east coast of Norfolk. Locals were left furious at the woman’s actions. Becky Smith said: “I just don't understand why you would call for help then not listen to the advice from people that know them best". While Steve Hills fumed: “Hoping the perpetrators are made aware of the consequences of their actions”.
Last year was a record one for grey seal pups along the beach. Since the start of the season 3,796 babies have been born along the five-mile stretch of sand, getting on for double the previous count in 2019-20 when the total pup population was 2,069. Numbers have been steadily rising – 20 years ago only around 50 seals were born here – thanks in a large part to 383 local volunteers whose work keeping the area secure ensures females want to keep going back there to have their babies.
The only problem is that after weaning their pups the mums take to the sea again, leaving the curious, and often mischievous, little seals to their own devices. Seal mums leave their offspring after three to four weeks, and the pups then spend a few weeks fending for themselves before also heading into the ocean where they spend most of the year swimming between the UK and Iceland after fish shoals.