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Baby seal ‘petted to death’ after becoming separated from its anxious mother and washed ashore during a violent storm in eastern Russia
- The seal pup was washed ashore during a violent storm in eastern Russia
- Crowds and dog-walkers gathered around to pet it as its mother swam nearby
- The mother abandoned the pup who was taken in to care to be treated for shock
A baby seal has died from stress after crowds of people gather round to pet and photograph it on a Russian beach.
The animal was washed ashore after a violent storm near the village of Zarubino, in far eastern Russia‘s Primorsky Krai region.
The helpless pup was spotted by local residents who approached it with dogs and cameras despite its cries.
A baby seal has died from stress after crowds of people gather round to pet and photograph it on a Russian beach
The seal was petted for several hours while its anxious mother was swimming nearby waiting for an opportunity to approach its baby.
Local animal rights activists took the seal under their protection after learning about the incident.
They guarded the seal from dogs and people standing at a distance so that the baby’s mother could not smell their presence.
The mother twice approached and sniffed its baby and every time returned to the water alone, leaving its pup on the shore.
The seal was petted for several hours while its anxious mother was swimming nearby waiting for an opportunity to approach its baby
Local animal rights activists took the seal under their protection after learning about the incident
Local animal rights activists took the seal (pictured in hospital) under their protection after learning about the incident
When dusk came, the mother abandoned the pup and swam away.
The baby seal was taken to a rehabilitation centre in a state of severe shock after the intense human interaction.
Vets found out it was a girl, named it Nelly and gave medical assistance.
The baby seal was taken to a rehabilitation centre in a state of severe shock after the intense human interaction
But despite their best efforts Nelly died the following night.
‘Nelly died from the physiological effects of stress. The baby seals are very fearful. The hormones of stress, adrenaline and cortisol kill them’, a representative of the centre said.
Following the incident, vets warned people not to approach wild animals and call specialists instead.
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