Warning to visitors as juvenile seal washes up on Hove beach

The juvenile seal was spotted on Hove beach yesterday afternoon.

It was seen by a passer-by, who said she became concerned after spotting a “small injury” on its flipper.

She said: “People were alerted to put their dogs back on their leads and to keep away and the sea front people were putting up some hazard tape to help with that.

The seal on Hove beach yesterday afternoon

“It was seen to have a small injury on its flipper.”

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) were called, but the creature swam off before rescuers were able to examine its injury.

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It is understood that the seal may have been “exhausted” recent stormy weather and that it had come ashore to rest.

The BDMLR advises people to not approach a seal if they see one resting on the beach, and to not allow children or dogs near it.

A spokesman said: “If you find a seal on a beach, watch it from a distance.

“Seals regularly haul out on our coasts – it is part of their normal behaviour, and, in fact, they spend more time out of the water, digesting their food and resting than in it.”