Warning issued after walkers scare hundreds of seals - causing stampede in Cornwall

  • Watch as two people cause the stampede of 250 seals on a beach in North Cornwall.

Video from The Seal Research Trust.

A video has been released of walkers causing a seal stampede on a beach in North Cornwall.

In the video two people are seen to disturb 250 seals, causing the seals to charge into the sea on 17 December 2023.

According to the Seal Research Trust this was the "worst disturbance incident on record" in their 25-year history.

It took place on a protected beach, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), where seals were a monitored feature, so disturbing them was an offence, it said.

As a result this incident was followed up and actioned by Natural Englands enforcement team.

Stampede's such as this can cause serious injuries to seals. This can see them graze their flippers and gash their bellies on rocks in shallow water. Young, thin seals can even end up breaking up the ribs or their lower jaws, which the charity says can be life-threatening as they do not heal.

Volunteers described seeing blood trails left on rocks following the stampede, an indication that at least some of the 250 seals who were disturbed ended up hurting themselves.

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Sue Sayer MBE, from the Seal Research Trust, said: "Once you've disturbed the seals, you lose that privileged view of seeing amazing wildlife in their natural habitat doing natural things. And not only do you lose that sight, but so does everybody else for the rest of the day."

We are now entering the pupping season when seals feed their pups on the beaches for three weeks. This ensures the youngest and most vulnerable seals will be fat enough to survive the winter, and not being fed enough due to disturbance can be dangerous.

Sue added some advice for those hoping to see seals without causing a seal stampede.

"Top tips: Avoid beaches with seals, stick to the cliff tops and the coast path to avoid damaging habitats as well as disturbing any wildlife, to be fair.

"Move slowly, talk in whispers, get your binoculars out, zoom lenses on your cameras so that that's the way you get a good view of the seals for sure," she added.

Anyone who sees seals being disturbed can report it to sightings@cornwallsealgroup.co.uk