A petition has been launched to save seals by banning the sale of plastic ‘flying ring’ frisbees.
The parliamentary petition was the brainchild of Jenny Hobson, a volunteer at the RSPCA’s East Winch Wildlife Centre, in Norfolk.
Jenny, who is a member of the Seal Alliance, was inspired to act after the Friends of Horsey Seals brought a rescued grey seal to the centre that had plastic flying rings deeply embedded around her neck.
“Pinkafo, as she was named, was close to death,” she said.
“When I saw what a terrible state she was in, I felt I had to do something to stop this happening to other seals.”
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There are around 175,000 seals in British water, according to the Mammal Society, and the Norfolk coast is home to a large proportion of the country’s common and grey seal population.
Each year, thousands of people flock to Horsey and Winterton to get a sight of the seals on the beaches during the winter pupping season.
North Norfolk District Council launched a campaign last year urging seaside businesses to stop selling the plastic ring frisbees.
Its ‘Safer Seals - Seal of Approval’ scheme, which partnered with the RSPCA and Friends of Horsey Seals, called for business owners to remove the rings from their shelves.
READ MORE: Why frisbees could soon disappear from Norfolk's beaches
The parliamentary petition has already received more than 2,700 signatures, requiring 10,000 for a government response.
“Please vote now,” Peter Ansell, chairman of Friends of Horsey Seals, said.
“Friends of Horsey Seals fully support this petition - it is a simple solution to remove at least one of the many hazards involving seals slowly being choked to death by floating debris in the sea and deserves massive support from the public.”
To sign the petition, visit: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/660089
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