VISITORS to the Great Orme have been reminded to keep their distance from seals on the Great Orme.

The RSPCA has had to issue the warning after an injured seal was spotted on the beach at Pigeon's Cove on Saturday, January 4.

The seal was spotted by a passing photographer Cleo Dawn Fitzgerald, of Abergele, who was sightseeing with a friend. After spotting the injury through her lens, she shared the images to Facebook Group 'You know you're from Llandudno' which saw other users claim that men had been witnessed thrown stones at the animals.

Ms Fitzgerald, originally of Hitchin, said: "I was showing a friend around. Site seeing. I told her we would see sheep, goats and seals. So we were on the look out.

"They were so far below us, but the seal was active and was moving around with a gaping hole on her right side.

"I was upset to see such a large hole. Very concerned about it. I had no idea who to contact so I put a post on two North Wales Facebook sites and got results there.

"The RSPCA should have rescued the seal on Monday 7."

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: “We would like to remind people to always stay away from seals, no matter where you find them - and instead to observe them safely from afar. Seals should never be approached as they are very strong and powerful wild animals and can have a very nasty bite, so people should never try to return the animal to the water themselves. We also ask dog walkers to keep their pets well away from any seals and to keep them on leads on beaches with seal colonies.

“We would very much like to thank members of the public for being our eyes and ears who report animals they find in distress to us.

“If you have concerns about an animal or find an animal in distress please contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999. It would be useful to know if this seal was mobile or if the seal was in obvious pain and distress and where this seal has been exactly spotted.”

More information is available via rspca.org.uk.