Public urged to leave seal pups well alone

A warning is going out for walkers in the Isle of Man to keep clear of seal pups.

It's currently the peak time for the Island's seals to have their young and it's perfectly normal for pups to be abandoned for several hours while their mothers hunt for food.

This can often lead to well-intentioned people trying to 'rescue' pups, when no such action is needed.

Handling or picking up a pup can cause the mother distress and lead her to genuinely abandon her young.

And while seal pups can appear to be defenceless, they are capable of giving a nasty bite.

Marine officer for the Manx Wildlife Trust Eleanor Stone says people should leave the animals alone, or contact the MSPCA if they are seriously concerned: