The charity Thames Seal Watch mourns the death of Marmalade, a popular harbour seal that lived in the River Thames.
The charity Thames Seal Watch reported the death of Marmalade, a harbour seal known for her golden-coloured coat. Marmalade lived in the river and was frequently spotted at Greenwich and Rotherhithe in south-east London.
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She died in May after contracting a parasite disease. Thames Seal Watch urged the public to give the seals more space as sightings increase. Emma Kelly from the charity stated that seals can bite and carry zoonotic diseases, and getting too close can cause them distress. The charity noted that while there are approximately 3,500 seals in the Thames, harbour seals are relatively rare, with only 500 living in the river. Gareth Richards from the UK Seal Alliance stated that seals are transient and travel to where there is good fish stocks. He noted that seals can swim between 60 and 80 miles a day. The UK Seal Alliance launched the Give Seals Space campaign, calling on the government to provide legal protection for seals from intentional or reckless disturbance. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs stated that current laws make it an offence to take, injure, capture, or kill a seal.