Beachgoers urged to give seals space

Dorset Wildlife Trust said it was vital people leave the seals in peace (photo taken from distance using a superzoom)

People are being urged to keep their distance from resting seals on the Dorset coast.

The warning from Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) comes after reports of several seals hauling out on beaches in recent weeks.

The charity said with more visitors heading to the coast as the weather warms the seals must be given space to hang out.

Both species of seal native to UK waters - grey seals and common seals - can be encountered in Dorset.

People are not heeding advice to stay back so the animals "can’t see, hear or smell you" (photo taken using a zoom)

On Saturday, a "ridiculous" number of people were seen from the water around a seal at Durdle Door.

Tim Anderton, of Weymouth Powerboat Training who saw the crowd, said: "We have an amazing range of wildlife on our coasts and the temptation is to get close as we would with our own pets.

"These are however wild animals and they need the space on the beach to rest and digest their food.

"They can also be dangerous with a nasty bite. People should keep well clear."

Last month, police cordoned off a section of Durdle Door beach to allow a seal to rest undisturbed.

In April, Wareham police cordoned off a stretch of Durdle Door beach to keep people away from a resting seal

DWT said the animals "travel hundreds of kilometres, come ashore to rest so they can recover lost energy [and] digest their food".

The charity's advice for people who come across a seal is to keep well away "so that they can't see, hear or smell you".

It said "if a seal is looking at you - you have disturbed it" and causing a seal to rush back into the water could cause injury.

To watch the seals, visitors should "use a camera zoom or binoculars for a better view", the charity said.