Dolphins 'stressed' by sightseers

Bottlenose dolphins are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act

The RSPCA and environmentalists have warned sightseers trying to get close to a pod of dolphins off south Devon that they could be breaking the law.

About 35 craft surrounded five bottlenose dolphins in Hope Cove in the South Hams area on Friday.

Brixham Sea Watch said the mammals could have been "seriously stressed".

Dolphins are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Anyone recklessly disturbing them risks prosecution and a fine of up to £5,000.

'Warning shot'

Brixham Sea Watch was alerted to the dolphins' plight by a National Coastwatch lookout who was concerned for their welfare.

Sea Watch spokesman Lindy Hingley, who has monitored dolphins in the area for several years, said the creatures would have been "seriously stressed" by the presence of the boats.

She said the organisation wanted to fire a "shot across the bows" of anyone who was thinking doing the same thing if more dolphins appeared over the weekend.

RSPCA spokesman Jo Barr said harassing the animals by getting too close was something that was taken very seriously.

She said: "We understand people are trying to get close to them on boats to take pictures, and they are becoming very distressed.

"We are urging the public to keep their distance and would remind them that under the Wildlife and Countryside Act it is illegal for any person to recklessly disturb a wild animal and they includes dolphins."