Seals are jumping off cliffs in northern England terrified of tourists. Video of the incident which is going viral shows seals leaping off mountain tops just to avoid coming in close proximity with tourists. The animals can be seen jumping from rocky ledges into the sea, generally resulting in injuries to their body. Images and video of such cases have emerged from Cornwall, the northeast of England and Scotland. It was released by The Seal Alliance. Female Seal With Plastic Net Around its Neck at Norfolk Coast Spotted, Heartbreaking Pic Goes Viral.

Video footage captured on a tourist's drone shows a seal trying to escape a dog which was left off the lead. There has been a steady rise in such incidents in the recent past. A report called 'Do not disturb! The growing threat to our seals' by the Seal Protection Action Group and Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust, talks about how seals are often disturbed by human interference. Some of it includes the sound of motorised vessels, jet-skis, kayaks, paddle-boarders, wildlife watching tours on land or sea, as well as anglers and even walkers. Seal Spotted With Eel Hanging Out of Its Nose! Scientists Say ‘That’s Rare!’

Humans trying to feed seals is another growing concern. Andy Ottaway, from the Action Group, said that seals should be left alone. He said that the mammals already face issues due to over-fishing and habitat encroachment. Andy says, "Our seals are under increasing threat from deliberate killing, climate change, over-fishing, toxic pollution, entanglement in nets, ingestion of plastic and serious injury from collisions with vessels. We need to give all our precious marine wildlife, including seals, more space. The cumulative impact of all these threats, along with these growing disturbance issues, is placing these wonderful animals at serious risk." Seal Pup With Umbilical Cord Still Attached Rests on a Plastic Bottle in UK Beach; View Pic.

The report highlights the harmful impacts of human activity on wildlife. It also documents case studies around the British coast where protected seal populations are suffering due to human activities. It also talks about the condition of seals in South-west of England, North-west Wales, North-east England and North-east Scotland.

Sue Sayer, from the Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust in the report says, "Many communities benefit financially from tourism and the kind of reliable wildlife watching that seals provide. However, we need to take care and must reduce already high levels of disturbance, and soon, or those environmental, social and economic benefits could soon disappear along with our seals."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 24, 2019 09:20 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).