SEAL conservation groups have urged Dorset residents to 'do the right thing' and give the young seal pup who reappeared this weekend some space. 

The Jurassic Coast's resident seal popped up at Hive Beach in Burton Bradstock on Sunday, March 7.

The Seal Project, Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust and British Divers Marine Life Rescue have issued a joint statement, asking people to keep their distance from the animal. 

The groups said: "This juvenile male grey seal has been frequenting areas of Dorset and South Devon and has become a focus for a lot of public attention.

"He needs to rest on land to digest any food he has been able to catch, but he still has to learn what to eat and how to catch it. 

"He needs space and peace to rest properly to get through the riskiest part of his life up to the age of 18 months. Our fascination has led to a lot of interactions with this young male, most of which are bad for him and potentially dangerous for both people and our dogs.

"As a result, a number of seal conservation groups have come together to share information about the best way to help ensure this seal’s health and well-being."

The group has informed residents of what not to do when if they come across the seal. It is important to keep dogs on a lead around him and the group says the worst thing you can do is feed him - as this could change his behaviour for life.

Residents are urged not to take any pictures with the seal and to instead observe him from a distance. The group also warned that like all seals, it will bite if it feels threatened.

The group said: "It is not possible to take a selfie with this young seal without negatively impacting his health and wellbeing, especially as it role models bad behaviour to other copycats.

"Grey seals are wild predators with big dog-like teeth and communicable diseases. They will suddenly defend themselves if they feel threatened and should not be approached and never touched in any way.

"Please leave him well alone and give him a wide berth. At the very least he will be stressed, even if not obviously visible. If we don’t, we are increasing the chances of injury and death through energy loss or habituation.

"This seal needs us all to be the ‘grown up’ and do the right thing."