VISITORS to Aberdeenshire Nature Reserve have been urged to not approach seals this Christmas following the birth of five grey seal pups.
This breeding season, five grey seal pups have been spotted at the north-east of Forvie National Nature Reserve (NNR), which hosts one of Scotland’s largest seal haul outs at the mouth of the River Ythan.
New guidance was put in place last November to help protect the seals by avoiding the seal haul out completely.
This species of seals can easily be disturbed by human presence and November and December are sensitive times as it is their breeding seasons.
Forvie staff are asking people to keep a safe distance from the seals by avoiding the point where the seal haul out is due to continuous disturbance.
Signs have been put in place to guide visitors around the reserve.
Cat Reid, Forvie NNR reserve manager said: “At this time of year, the stars of the show are the seals, and we’re really pleased to see five pups this breeding season.
“As ever, we’d just like to remind visitors how important it is that the seals are not disturbed during this critical period.
“Pups may be abandoned by their mothers or crushed as seals stampede into the water to escape from people.
Reid explained that the best way to see the seal colony is on the other shore from the Ythan Estuary, on the Newburgh side.
“If you want to see the seals and see if you can spot a pup this Christmas, then the best and safest way is to go to the beach road car park in Newburgh, where you can enjoy great views and photo opportunities without disturbing the colony.”
Forvie NNR is a designated seal haul-out site and it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly harass a seal on the reserve. If anyone thinks they have witnessed a wildlife crime on the reserve, they should contact Police Scotland on 101.
