A marine rescue group has given a warning about animal welfare awareness after a group of kayakers were spotted posing for pictures next to a seal while it was trying to rest on top of a rock.

Marine Discovery Penzance took to Facebook on Friday, August 31, to reveal that a number of people had disturbed the sleeping animals over the past week.

The environmentally friendly wildlife watching trip group Marine Discovery Penznace were concerned.

Along with the photos they posted on social media they wrote: "Yesterday a steady procession of kayakers headed out from the village of Mousehole in order to have a paddle round the shore and a look at the caves - a lovely calm day for it and a nice thing to do.

"What isn't a nice thing to do however is crowd round seals on rocks having your photo taken with them.

"It's REALLY not rocket science. A seal which is hauled out is there because it wants to go to sleep.

"If it has to remain awake and alert to potential threat then it's not going to get its rest.

"This is not like humans not getting their rest (I mean, obviously right?) - if a seal is not in good condition because of repeated disturbance it will affect its ability to hunt.

"Several of these females are now heavily pregnant too and due to give birth in the next few weeks. How is this fair?"

Dolphins captured on video
Dolphins captured on video previously

The post continued: "It would be great if the kayakers of Mousehole learned to respect the seals they are lucky enough to have on their doorstep.

"People might think 'well why are you sharing the location on the internet then', but it's a well known spot and hardly a secret."

It has sparked a member of a leading UK marine animal welfare group to speak out on the importance giving the animals space in their home environment.

British Divers Marine Life Rescue are always concerned about anyone risking going too close to wildlife.

Dan Jarvis, the organisation's field support officer, said they have been very busy with calls this summer.

He added: "It is alway busy at this time of year with call outs. it is particularly dangerous for seals at this time because females can be pregnant and males are preparing for the breeding season.

"If they are disturbed they can be flushed off rocks or beaches and that can lead to the pups inside pregnant females to be bounced.

"In serious cases it can lead to abortions.

"Some people get so close they even pick pups up and this means when the mother returns she will reject the pup because she recognises it by scent and that will have been changed."

British Divers Marine Life Rescue has asked people to read the Cornwall Marine and Coastal Code Group's guidelines before heading out to the coast. It can be found by clicking here.

If you are needing urgent help with an animal you think is in distress then call Cornwall Wildlife Trust's hotline on 03452012626.