SNH warning: seals being disturbed on Ythan

On Sunday, people visiting the estuary on Forvie National Nature Reserve (NNR) were observed getting far too close to seals on the beach. This can cause seals to become stressed and abandon their pups.

Annabel Drysdale, SNH’s Forvie NNR manager, said:

“We all love to watch wildlife, but we also need to protect it. So we’d ask people to go to the beach at Newburgh, where you can getter a better view without accidentally disturbing the seals. If you are visiting Forvie and come across seals on the beach, stay at least 150 metres away and if one or two heads come up, that means you’re close enough.”

Here are a few more tips to watch seals safely and responsibly:

• When watching seals on the beach, be quiet, avoid sudden movements and be responsive to their behaviour. Back off if it looks like the seals may enter the water.
  
  
• Be especially cautious if there are pups present; seals can move surprisingly quickly and they may bite if they feel threatened. Never separate pups from mothers, as females can be particularly aggressive when they have young. Leave lone pups alone: the mother may only be away foraging for food and if you approach or touch the pup while she is gone she may abandon it on her return. 
  
  
• Don’t crowd or encircle seals. If you are in a group, keep the whole group to one side of the animal, preferably the landward side, so that the animal still has access to the water.  

ENDS

MEDIA QUERIES
Contact SNH media officer, Vicki Mowat, on 0131 316 2659 or vicki.mowat@snh.gov.uk (Tuesday to Friday) or the SNH main press office on 01463 725 020 or 022 (Monday).

NOTES FOR EDITORS
Forvie National Nature Reserve is one of about 50 NNRs in Scotland. NNRs are special places that look after some of the best of Scotland’s nature on behalf of everyone who lives or visits Scotland, and they provide unique opportunities to visit, enjoy and learn more about Scotland’s nature. For more information, see www.nnr-scotland.org.uk .