Blue Planet II sparks rise in wild life pests

THE close-up format of the BBC’S Blue Planet II series sparked a rise in coastal wildlife disturbances, conservationists claim.

Cases in Cornwall rose a third in 2017 to 150.

Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust says fans of the David Attenborough narrated show and BBC hit Springwatch may have been inspired to get too close to animals’ habitats.

The trust’s Sue Sayer said: “In no way am I criticising coverage in these programmes, I am only emphasising that we should not aim to replicate this close-up encounter.”

People should stay 100 metres from animals and not stay over 15 minutes.