RESIDENTS have been warned to keep away from a seal pup at West Bay - after pictures show people crowding around it.
Photos have emerged of a young seal paying a visit to the beach - with residents gathering round to snap a picture.
Rachel Jenner, who captured images from a safe distance, observed many people crowding around the seal and even children touching it, despite the seal looking like it might bite.
She said: "Unfortunately the poor seal was crowded - hardly anyone was respecting his space. Many people were touching it.
"The seal almost bit a child twice but people people still thought it was acceptable to touch."
She added: "I am pleased to say that I returned the following day and saw that the seal was been given the right amount of respect and distance."
The pictures have led to warnings from local organisations for people to give the seal some space and to instead observe him from a distance.
A spokesman for the West Bay Discovery Centre said: "A baby seal has been spotted in the area this week, if you see one please follow this advice and give seals plenty of space.
"It is perfectly normal for seals to come ashore periodically to rest, digest their food and at certain times of the year they will spend longer periods of time on the beach such as during the moulting season. Seals are sensitive to disturbance if people and dogs get too close, so it is important that are given plenty of space.
"Disturbance is bad for seals as it raises their stress levels, interrupts their rest, causes them to waste energy and may even result in injuries if they rush into the sea."
Earlier this month a national campaign was launched by the Seal Alliance called ‘Give Seals Space’ - aiming to reduce the impact that human disturbance can have on these vulnerable marine mammals.
A spokesman for Dorset Wildlife Trust said: "Seals can be nervous and are extremely vulnerable from human disturbance especially when on land.
"It is crucial for seals to have periods of rest on land so they can digest their food, something which cannot be done effectively whilst actively foraging at sea.
"If you encounter a seal either in the water or hauled out it is important to give them plenty of space."
Similar warnings were issued when the Jurassic Coast's resident seal appeared at Hive Beach in Burton Bradstock at the beginning of March.
Dorset Wildlife Trust has published a code of conduct of its website, which can be seen at www.dorsetwildlifetrust.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here