A new warning has been issued for people to stay away from a young seal which has been visiting beaches in west Dorset and attracting attention.
Now Bridport Police, has shared information from conservation groups in a bid to keep the pup safe.
A statement said: "In the last few months, a juvenile male grey seal has been frequenting areas of Dorset and South Devon and has become a focus for a lot of public attention. This is a juvenile male wild grey seal. He needs to rest on land to digest any food he has been able to catch, but he still has to learn what to eat and how to catch it.
"He began visiting beaches like this during lockdown. He needs space and peace to rest properly to get through the riskiest part of his life up to the age of 18 months.
"Our fascination has led to a lot of interactions with this young male, most of which are bad for him and potentially dangerous for us and our dogs.
"As a result, a number of seal conservation groups have come together to share information about the best way to help ensure this seal’s health and well-being and ask you to please keep well away from him – if he is looking at you, he has been disturbed.
"Having to remain alert wastes this young seal’s energy, as his heart and breathing rates will be high.
"Please keep your dog on a lead and remember diseases can be passed between dogs, seals and people."
The statement adds: "The worst thing you can do is feed him. This will change his behaviour for life, continually bringing him into risky situations with humans.
"Humanised seals rarely make old bones and become victims of anti-social behaviour, threats of violence, entanglement in angling lines and hooks, and even being hit by boat propellers.
"It is not possible to take a selfie with this young seal without negatively impacting his health and wellbeing, especially as it role models bad behaviour to other copycats.
"Grey seals are wild predators with big dog-like teeth and communicable diseases. They will suddenly defend themselves if they feel threatened and should not be approached and NEVER touched in any way.
"To keep him as safe as we can, please DO NOT post his location online and please discourage others from doing so too. At the very least he will be stressed, even if not obviously visible.
"If we don’t, we are increasing the chances of injury and death through energy loss or habituation. Please give this seal space and do not approach or disturb him - thank you."
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April 25, 2021 at 11:00AM
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'If he is looking at you, he has been disturbed': New warning to stay away from seal pup - Bridport and Lyme Regis News
"seal" - Google News
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