July 24th, 2019 | Updated on June 27th, 2022
A shocking video has surfaced showing terrified seals leaping off cliffs to flee tourists who were trying to get too close. The footage released by The Seal Alliance showed seal dives from a rock into the sea after being approached by a sightseer. The footage was taken in the northeast of England.
A new report titled ‘Please Do Not Disturb!‘ claims seals are under pressure from a multitude of human-related issues motorized vessels, jet-skis, kayaks, paddle-boarders, wildlife watching tours on land or sea, as well as anglers and walkers.
Seals are even threatened by people who try to feed them.
Experts think that seals should be left alone as they are already facing several threats including over-fishing and shrinking habitat.
The report titled ‘Do not disturb!’ was funded by the Seal Protection Action Group (SPAG) and the Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust (CSGRT).
Highlights Of The Report:
- The seal population is suffering from chronic disturbance issues from human intrusion, both accidental and deliberate, through recreational activities as well as expanding tourism.
- Repeated disturbance can do serious harm to individual animals, through stress and even serious injury while fleeing human presence or from attacks by dogs.
- Disturbance can also impact at a local and national population level by reducing breeding success, abandonment of dependent pups and even premature death.
Source: Dailymail