POLICE were called to protect a dying seal on a beach after crowds threw stones and posed for photos next to the mammal.
The seal died hours after officers arrived at the beach in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk on Tuesday.
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People were seen hurling stones at the grey seal, while parents took pictures of their children next the beached seal as it lay dying.
Dan Goldsmith, chairman of Marine and Wildlife Rescue, criticised the bystanders and fears the seal may have died.
He said: "People were picking up stones and throwing them at the seal. Whether that was to get it to move I don't know.
"Police were constantly needing to tell people to move back - they were getting within a foot of the seal.
'SHOCKED'
"People don't appreciate that it should be left to rest.
"They just want to get photos and put their children there to get pictures with it.
"At around 4.30pm the seal took itself back to the water's edge and was taken by the tide - it may well have died."
An RSPCA spokesman said the charity was "shocked" to hear reports of people throwing stones at the seal.
The spokesman said: "It's really important that members of the public stay away from the seal as getting close is likely to cause this very poorly animal a lot of distress.
"We know that seals in the wild are an incredible sight to see, but people must remember that these are wild animals.
"We share our beaches with seals and have to learn to respect nature and enjoy from a distance, and never interfere or get too close to them."
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