Hundreds of terrified seals have been videoed rushing to safety after being spooked by blundering walkers in Britain’s worst stampede case.
Shocking footage shows two men causing 250 of the animals to flee into the shoreline after walking onto their protected sites.
The Seal Research Trust said the incident was the worst in its 25-year history.
READ MORE: Chelsea and Manchester United in final talks over Sancho and Sterling transfers
It happened on beaches protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, where seals were monitored.
An investigation found, that although the incident was not malicious, such events could have serious negative impacts on seals including causing stress and injuries.
The men walked on to two adjacent beaches in north Cornwall which are not being identified frightening 87 seals off the first and 163 off the second.
The men were later contacted by the Natural England enforcement team who found it was unintentional and not malicious as reported by Need To Know.
Sue Sayer, from the Seal Research Trust, said: “It’s just the most upsetting incident we’ve had on record.
“It’s very distressing for volunteers.
“The seals were completely disrupted.
“It’s like us being woken up at night and not being allowed to go to sleep again.
“They waste energy for sure and when they rush over boulders they risk gashing their bellies.
“Youngsters with no fat reserves can break a rib or break their jaw which can be life-threatening.”
Dan Jarvis of British Divers Marine Life Rescue added: “The seals would have had all sorts of injuries from being cut on sharp rocks as they dashed to the sea.
“They might be ripping out claws or trampling small seals underneath them.
“It could lead to mums and pups being separated too.”
Sue Sayer said the footage recorded last December had been now released to show what happened when seals were disturbed.
And that the seals would have been moulting at the time of the disturbance.
“They lose their entire fur coat in a three-week period,” she added.
“Which made them extra vulnerable.”
The Seal Research Trust issued this advice:
Avoid beaches with seals
Watch from cliff tops, hides, viewpoints and paths
Move slowly and only talk whispers
Use binoculars or camera zoom lenses for a better view
READ MORE: Manchester hotel accused of canceling Oasis concert bookings, relisting rooms at triple the price
