Trunk the seal is over 30 and needs Newquay to give her space

She has a face known to half of Newquay Harbour, a stack of grey whiskers and a temper you would not want to test. Trunk, the adult female grey seal who hauls out on the harbour beach, is thought to be over 30 years old. In seal terms that makes her a senior citizen, and this summer she is spending more time out of the water than she has in years.

Who Trunk is

Trunk is well known to harbour users and to local conservation groups, and volunteers from British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) keep an eye on her when she comes ashore. 

The problem is a happy one at heart. She is hauling out more often than in previous years, which means the volunteers who look out for her are struggling to keep up. Every extra rest on the sand is another chance for a crowd to gather.

📷Credit: The Cornwall Marine and Coastal Code Group

Why the crowds are a worry

With Trunk ashore more often, there are more close encounters with the public, including people trying to feed her or get near her. The intentions are kind. The risk is not.

A grey seal is a powerful wild animal, and even one as used to busy harbour life as Trunk can move fast and bite hard if she is startled. That is a danger to a curious member of the public and to the old seal herself. The Cornwall Marine and Coastal Code Group, which shared the appeal, says its priority is always to get BDMLR volunteers down to set up a temporary exclusion zone so she can rest in peace.

📷Credit: The Cornwall Marine and Coastal Code Group

How you can help

If you spot Trunk on the beach, the advice is simple. Keep your distance, keep quiet and leave a clear path between her and the sea so she can get back to the water whenever she wants. If barriers are already up around her, stay behind them.

If you think she may need help, or the situation around her is getting out of hand, call the BDMLR hotline on 01825 765546 and volunteers will get down as soon as they can.

And spread the word. Medics are not always free to come straight away, so the more harbour users who know how to behave around Trunk, the safer she and everyone else stays.

As The Cornwall Marine and Coastal Code Group puts it, even a seal used to this busy harbour life could cause serious injury if startled. Trunk has earned her rest. The kindest thing anyone can do is give her room to take it.

📷Credit: The Cornwall Marine and Coastal Code Group