Dangers of flying rings to seals are highlighted

A sign highlighting the danger that flying plastic rings pose to seals has been put up at a Norfolk beach for the first time.

Sea Palling beach is believed to have one of the biggest populations of seals in England.

Four-year-old seal Bongo recently spent four months at RSPCA East Winch after being entangled in a green plastic ring, but was released on Tuesday.

Jenny Hobson from Friends of Horsey Seals and the Seals Alliance, said: "Flying rings are potentially mortally dangerous. They can kill and they will kill seals if they get stuck in them."

Ms Hobson, who also volunteers at RSCPA East Winch, says she has seen many seals with "horrendous injuries" caused by flying rings.

Younger inquisitive seals were most likely to find them, she explained.

"They play with them sometimes putting their head through the hole in the middle and the seal grows and the ring cuts deeper and deeper into the neck causing the most horrendous open wounds and sadly the seal will suffer a very long and painful death through infection and starvation."

The seal charity launched a flying rings campaign in 2019, urging people to not discard the frisbee-style hoops.

Sea Palling and Waxham Parish Council is working with the local charities on the installation of signs.

Council chairwoman Val Bird said: "It's really important we get the message across for how dangerous these flying rings are."

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