![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1_AFRDPR280825SealCampers.jpg\")
The pair’s tent was pitched on a ledge above the beach where camping is strictly forbidden(Image: Adventure Tour Snowdonia)<\/p>\nThey 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)<\/p>\n
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 \u201chugely damaging\u201d.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Never miss a story with the MEN’s daily Catch Up newsletter – get it in your inbox by signing up here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Their actions horrified wildlife lovers, while Conwy<\/a> Council said disturbing seals can cause \u201cabandonment and death of pups\u201d.<\/p>\n The illicit campsite was spotted and filmed by a tour guide from Adventure Tour Snowdonia<\/a>, which offers daily sightseeing tours of the National Park from Llandudno<\/a>. Its Sunday tours typically start with a trip around the Great Orme and a stop to visit the Pigeon Cove seals.<\/p>\n The guide said: \u201cAs a local business and advocates of nature, we always tell our passengers to remain silent when viewing the seals from Marine Drive \u2013 to grab a photo and quietly return to the bus.”<\/p>\n He continued: \u201cWe 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.<\/p>\n \u201cAs 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.<\/p>\n \u201cTo 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n The guide realised the \u201cidiots\u201d 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThey 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, \u2018so what\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen 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 \u2013 more of a \u2018what are you going to do about it attitude\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Join the Manchester Evening News <\/strong>WhatsApp<\/strong> group <\/strong>HERE<\/a><\/p>\n A Conwy Council<\/a> spokesperson said: \u201cWe 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.<\/p>\n![\"Scores](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1_AFRDPW200224OrmeSeals.jpg\")
Scores of seals are usually hauled up on the shingle at Pigeon\u2019s Cave(Image: John Hume Snr\/Daily Post)<\/p>\n![\"'One](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1_AFRDPR280825SealCampers_02.jpg\")
‘One man shrugged his shoulders, as if to say, \u2018so what\u2019’ (Image: Adventure Tour Snowdonia)<\/p>\n![\"In](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756586961_740_1_AFRDPR280825SealCampers_02.jpg\")
In late August the beach would normally be bustling with heavily pregnant females(Image: Adventure Tour Snowdonia)<\/p>\n