Respect for Seals

Take your flying rings home. They're cheap and fun to play with - but seals are dying in agony because of plastic flying rings …

RSPCA data shows the number of animals impacted by plastic pollution is at an all-time high, with incidents increasing by 22% in just four years.

Seals and other wildlife can get caught in all sorts of plastic litter. Incidents involving seals in particular have risen four-fold, with 28 incidents reported by the RSPCA in 2018, compared with five in 2015. Ropes, netting and ringed items are extremely dangerous.

Abandoned flying rings (frisbee with a hole) have become a particular issue for seals on the North Norfolk coast over the last few years. Inquisitive younger seals, especially, play with them and put their head through the hole. Unable to get them off with their flipper, the plastic digs into their flesh as they grow (pups can put on 2 kilos in weight per day), causing painful wounds that can become infected.

Sightings are reported by visitors to local wildlife groups, but volunteers are only able to save the seals when they have become weakened enough to be caught. From there they are cared for by the RSPCA Wildlife Centre at East Winch, before being released back into the wild.

“The growth of the seal leads to terrible cuts as the plastic cuts into its flesh and ultimately impedes its ability to catch fish and restricts swallowing.’ (Friends of Horsey Seals).

Seal pups have been found with rings both around their neck and their body. Last year a bull seal was found with a ring around its neck.

Last year one local community group, Gorleston Community Beach Clean, bought 255 plastic frisbee-style rings from local shops and shopkeepers agreed to stop selling them. Stock will be replaced with standard solid frisbees, which are not a danger to wildlife in the same way. Meanwhile, the flying rings are being donated to community groups, strictly for inland use.

Wildlife group, Friends of Horsey Seals launched an information campaign, saying that members of the public do not intentionally hurt the seals, but are unaware of the potential dangers. The clear message is: “If you have a flying ring, don’t throw it into the sea. Play well away from the seals, and make sure you take it home when you leave.’