The UK’s coastal regions are bursting with wildlife, large to small, in the air and on the land, but one of the most well-known animals that is native to our beaches are seals.
They are large, generally relaxed creatures but because of their size they can be incredibly dangerous if approached or they feel threatened, which is why we’ve put together this handy guide on what to do if you spot a seal in the wild.
What seals can be found in the UK?
We are very lucky to live in an area which is home to a vast array of wildlife including one of the largest seal colonies in the UK.
In the UK, we have two types of seals, the common seal and the grey seal. They are slightly different animals but from a distance they may look identical.
The most obvious difference is that grey seals are much larger than common seals.
You can read more about their differences here.
The best time to spot seals is between November and January, when seals come onto land in order to give birth to their young.
Key tips to remember if you spot a wild seal
Spotting a seal is incredibly exciting but you must remember that they are wild animals and there are certain precautions you must take to protect yourself and the seals that you spot. Here are our key tips to remember if you spot a wild seal.
Keep a distance
The closer you are, the more dangerous a seal becomes, so remember to keep a safe distance of approximately 100 metres.
Don’t attempt to put them in the sea
It’s likely that you’d struggle to move a fully-grown seal anyway, but people have been known to attempt to put injured seals back in the sea believing them to be accidentally ashore. This can be very dangerous for injured seals, so it shouldn’t be attempted under any circumstances.
Remember that they are wild animals
Even domestic animals can be unpredictable at times, but wild animals are even more so and therefore potentially dangerous. They are also more likely to be carrying diseases, meaning that they can make you sick long after your encounter.
Do not approach pups
It is normal for seal mothers to leave their pups while she feeds. If the puppies look healthy from a distance, then they are not in need of help from humans. In fact, disturbing them can make them stray from the area that their mother knows they are in, putting them in unnecessary danger.
Concerned a seal is injured?
If a seal looks injured and in need of some help, call BDMLR on 01825 765546 who will come and access the seal and if needed, take it back to the aquarium’s Seal Hospital for treatment.
Signs to look out for are if the seal is coughing, sneezing or has audibly heavy breathing. Being visibly underweight is also a sign that a seal is probably quite unhealthy and might need the help of the BDMLR.
When getting in contact with the BDMLR, try to give as much information as possible to them so that they can properly assist the animal and assess how in danger the animal may be.
You can find out more about how Tynemouth Aquarium helps injured seals in our dedicated blog.
The importance of keeping our beaches clean
Beaches are incredibly important for the maintenance of the seal population, being the place that they give birth to their young. In order to do our bit for wild seals, we must do everything to protect the beaches by following the simple steps listed below.
Don’t litter
Not only is litter unsightly, but it can also cause digestive problems for lots of marine animals. If you take rubbish to the beach, make you take it with you and dispose of it properly.
Clean up others mess
Although it isn’t your responsibility, you can do your part for seals by picking up just a couple of pieces of litter that you find on the beach. As a collective, it will make the world of difference.
Consider taking sustainable items
Rather than plastic, one-time use bottles, consider investing in more sustainable options that are able to be reused over and over.
If you would like to learn more about our local wild seals and what to do if you come across one, staff at Tynemouth Aquarium are giving some great advice which you can hear at the twice daily seal show.
If you’re interested in taking part in a beach clean to do your bit, we’re hosting one ourselves! Keep your eye out on our socials to find out more details.