Swimmers told to avoid seals after attack

BEACHGOERS and holidaymakers have been warned not to approach seals around Britain’s coastline after a man was attacked by one of the sea mammals.

The man was bitten while swimming close to the mouth of the River Dart in Devon. According to reports by the coastguard, he felt something brush his feet and then felt a blow to his back as he was swimming in Mill Bay Cove. Moments later, the seal surfaced and bit him. Now animal conservation groups have warned people to keep their distance.

It is thought the Devon seal may have been guarding its young and felt threatened when the swimmer came close to where the creatures bask during the incident last Friday.

Sue Wilson, of the Seal Conservation Society, said: “We have seen greater interaction and disturbance of seals dur- ing the fine weather we’ve been having, as more people go down to the water.

“If people disturb seals they will bite them. If they feel threatened or cornered, they will react and people risk getting bitten, particularly during the summer breeding season for the common harbour seal, and in winter for the grey seal.

“The simple advice is to steer clear of seals when you see them.”