Baby Seal Dies After Selfie Takers Scare Off Its Mum

Between August to December you may come across white fluffy seal pups on beaches or rocky outcrops along the Welsh coast - often on their own. The mother however will probably be close by, so it is vital to give them space so she can return to her pup to feed it.

A seal pup recently died after its mother failed to return to feed after being disturbed and scared off by people who wanted to take pictures and 'selfies' with the seal pup.

Sue Burton, SAC Officer for Pembrokeshire Marine SAC said that “Seal pups need space and time to rest and grow, they are fed by their mothers’ for just three weeks before they have to fend for themselves. It is vital that during this time they are given space. Disturbance can lead to abandonment and death."

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are sites that have been set up to help protect the marine environment. Grey seals are protected features for many of the designated MPAs in Wales.

The Welsh Partnership of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) was set up in 2006 in order to maximise consistency and complementarity of MPA management, promote collaboration on common issues and to improve communication of relevant information and best practice across Wales.

The group is made up of five local MPA partnerships: Pen Llŷn a’r Sarnau Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Cardigan Bay SAC, Pembrokeshire Marine SAC, Carmarthen Bay and Estuaries European Marine Site (EMS), and the Severn Estuary EMS.