They pitched a tent yards from the colony, then ‘stormed up and down the secluded cove’
The pair’s tent was pitched on a ledge above the beach where camping is strictly forbidden(Image: Adventure Tour Snowdonia)
Two men camping in a sensitive wildlife area were ordered to leave due to it being celebrated for its seal colony. Their decision to pitch a tent was condemned by Conwy Council as potentially “hugely damaging”.
Grey seal numbers in Pigeon Cove at the foot of the Great Orme, Llandudno, have grown significantly since the colony was established in 2017. Counts vary between 180-300 depending on the time of year and the success of breeding seasons.
As disturbances have occurred at the site, signs on Marine Drive above the cove warn that access is restricted. On a rocky shelf above the beach, more notices advise of camping and access curbs, the Daily Post reports.
These were ignored by the two visitors, who pitched a tent and camping equipment on the rock platform. Their presence appears to have scared away the seals at a time of year when females are heavily pregnant with pups.
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Their actions horrified wildlife lovers, while Conwy Council said disturbing seals can cause “abandonment and death of pups”.
The illicit campsite was spotted and filmed by a tour guide from Adventure Tour Snowdonia, which offers daily sightseeing tours of the National Park from Llandudno. Its Sunday tours typically start with a trip around the Great Orme and a stop to visit the Pigeon Cove seals.
Scores of seals are usually hauled up on the shingle at Pigeon’s Cave(Image: John Hume Snr/Daily Post)
The guide said: “As a local business and advocates of nature, we always tell our passengers to remain silent when viewing the seals from Marine Drive – to grab a photo and quietly return to the bus.”
He continued: “We know the seals have been returning for breeding and will be giving birth before winter. Our guides have been stopping here in recent weeks as the seals have returned in numbers.
“As the tide was out, it was almost guaranteed we would see the seals – and we often talk beforehand to the wardens who look after the seals. As guides, we usually get out first: guests remain on the bus until we give the all clear to quietly disembark.
“To my amazement, there were two men storming up and down the secluded beach. Not a seal in sight, apart from a few far out, heads bobbing looking towards the beach.
‘One man shrugged his shoulders, as if to say, ‘so what’’ (Image: Adventure Tour Snowdonia)
“I went back to my guests and apologised – I told them they would not be seeing the seals as I had a situation to deal with. I went back out and started instructing the men to get off the beach.”
The guide realised the “idiots” had also left a mess on the rocks. He told them it was a protected beach for the seals and they should not be down there.
“They had obviously scared all the seals away, possibly affecting their breeding grounds. I told them to immediately leave. One man shrugged his shoulders, as if to say, ‘so what’.
In late August the beach would normally be bustling with heavily pregnant females(Image: Adventure Tour Snowdonia)
“When I again told them to get off the beach, one gave me the middle finger, then folded his arms. They showed no care or remorse – more of a ‘what are you going to do about it attitude’.”
After recording the two campers on his mobile phone, the tour guide returned to the bus to a round of applause from its 16 passengers. The clip was uploaded to local social pages in the hope it would catch the eye of council wardens.
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A Conwy Council spokesperson said: “We responded to a report of illegal camping at Pigeon Cove over the Bank Holiday weekend. The campers were woken from their tent and instructed to leave immediately, which they did.
“Camping is prohibited in the Great Orme Country Park under its byelaws and at this location in particular can have a hugely damaging impact on the seal colony.
“As we are now in seal breeding season, access to Pigeon Cove for any reason is restricted. There is signage on Marine Drive and on the shelf above the cove informing people of this and the reason why. Disturbing seals can cause abandonment and death of pups.
“Most people wouldn’t want that on their conscience, and thankfully the vast majority of visitors respect and value the Great Orme and its wildlife, which is what makes it such a special place.”
Adventure Tour Snowdonia provides custom and bespoke adventure tours and sightseeing experiences in Conwy and Eryri (Snowdonia). More details can be found here.