Beach Alert: The Toy That’s Threatening Cornwall’s Wildlife

NAWT (National Animal Welfare Trust) has teamed up with The Seal Sanctuary to urge dog owners to be cautious while enjoying the beach with their pets, particularly about the harmful impact of certain dog toys on marine life.

Dangerous Dog Toys: Ring-Style Frisbees

The Cornish Seal Sanctuary, operated by The Sea Life Trust, has raised concerns about ring-style frisbees, a popular beach toy. These toys, often left behind on the shoreline, can drift into the sea and cause life-threatening injuries to seals. Seals can become entangled in these frisbees, especially when they wrap around their necks, leading to fatal injuries.

One such case involved a seal known as “Wings,” a regular visitor to the Cornish coast. Wings was found entangled in a frisbee, but due to her familiarity with humans, rescuers managed to save her. Unfortunately, not all cases end in rescue. The Seal Sanctuary has highlighted that this issue is becoming increasingly common across the UK.

Protecting Wildlife: What You Can Do

Dog owners are being asked to take responsibility and ensure toys are not left behind after visits to the beach. NAWT, along with The Seal Sanctuary, is working to spread this message, hoping to protect local wildlife and allow all to enjoy Cornwall’s stunning beaches without putting marine life at risk.

Grey Seal Pup Season: Important Advice for Dog Owners

As grey seal pup season is now underway (September to March), there is growing concern about the disturbance of young seals. Tamara Cooper, Curator at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, advises dog owners to be vigilant. Pups are often left alone by their mothers above the high tide mark while the mothers feed offshore. It is critical not to disturb these pups, as any missed feeds could be life-threatening.

Dog owners should ensure that their dogs are kept on leads and avoid approaching or touching any seal pups encountered on the beach. If you spot a seal pup and are concerned about its welfare, you can contact the Cornish Seal Sanctuary at 01326 221361 or British Divers Marine Life Rescue at 01825 765546 for assistance.

The public is also encouraged to read the DEFRA Marine Code of Conduct to learn more about minimising disturbance to wildlife during beach visits.

For more information on the rescue and rehabilitation work done by The SEA LIFE TRUST Cornish Seal Sanctuary, you can visit their website here.

Marine Wildlife Rescue: A Lifeline for Sea Creatures

The Cornish Seal Sanctuary is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of grey seal pups, rehabilitating over 70 seals each season. These efforts are critical to saving seals suffering from malnourishment or separation from their mothers. The Sanctuary also provides permanent care for marine animals like seals, puffins, and even beavers, who need expert care.

British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) also plays a vital role in marine wildlife rescue. The organisation offers marine wildlife rescue services and supports rehabilitation centres. To learn more about their work, you can visit their website here.

By being mindful of their pets and surroundings, dog owners can help protect Cornwall’s marine wildlife.