People urged not to disturb seals on coast

People are being urged not to disturb seals on the Lincolnshire coast.

Seal sightings are common on beaches around Cleethorpes at this time of year as the winter pups begin to move from their breeding ground at Donna Nook, near North Somercotes, to the coast.

However, North East Lincolnshire Council said disturbing seals could be dangerous and sometimes even fatal for the animals.

The authority asked people to leave seals alone to rest until they were ready to return to sea by themselves.

Newly-independent seals can swim up to 60 miles (96km) a day, taking them as far as the Netherlands.

They are a protected species and only come on to land to breed, rest and digest their food.

Resting seals can become distressed if disturbed, causing them to use up vital energy they need to get home.

The council warned if seals were flushed back into the sea, they could become injured from gashing their bellies on rocks or tearing their skin on the sand.

It added seals could be dangerous if they felt threatened and warned the animals have a "nasty bite" and can carry disease.

Council ecologists advised people who see a seal in distress to call the resort safety team, keep dogs on a lead and watch from a distance until assistance arrives.

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