When a beachgoer spotted a dark, seal-shaped figure lying motionless on Cleethorpes Beach in England, they feared the worst. Worried that the animal might be hurt, they called Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue for help.
Rescuers quickly arrived and scanned the shoreline. From a distance, the shape certainly looked like a seal resting in the sand — but something didn’t seem quite right.
“From the promenade, it did have the right shape and posture to be a seal, but we had our reservations,” a Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue spokesperson told The Dodo.
As the team got closer, the mystery “seal” came into clearer view — and that’s when they realized the truth.
It wasn’t a seal at all.
It was a perfectly seal-shaped piece of driftwood.
“It became more and more apparent as the volunteers approached that it wasn’t a seal,” the spokesperson said. “It was a good laugh between the responding team.”
Though this “rescue” didn’t involve a real animal, the experience turned into a useful reminder for anyone who spots what appears to be a stranded seal on the beach.
According to Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue, seals often come ashore simply to rest between tides — it’s completely normal and usually not a sign of distress.
“Seals on the beach are not ‘stranded,’” the spokesperson explained. “‘Stranded’ suggests they’re stuck and can’t help themselves. In reality, seals use the beach to rest, and more often than not, they should be left undisturbed.”
True marine strandings, they added, are more common with animals like whales, dolphins, and porpoises — species that don’t come ashore intentionally.
Cleethorpes Beach sits near the Donna Nook nature reserve, where thousands of grey seals gather each year to give birth.
To keep both seals and people safe, rescuers remind the public to stay back, stay quiet, keep dogs on leads, and never try to push a seal back to the sea.
This time, it was only driftwood — but thanks to the beachgoer’s quick thinking, it’s clear that locals are ready to help when the next real rescue call comes in.
To help support Cleethorpes wildlife, make a donation to Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue.
