World News

Man disturbs 20 seals to take photos in German nature reserve

Jul 29, 2025

Berlin [Germany], July 29: A man disturbed around 20 seals in a nature reserve on a German North Sea island to take photos of them, the police said on Monday. The man wanted to take special shots of the seals in the protected Wadden Sea National Park on the East Frisian island of Langeoog in the state of Lower Saxony, said a police spokeswoman in Aurich. To do this, she said he entered a protected zone without permission: In this quiet zone, the strictest protection regulations apply, and the area may only be accessed via approved paths. Witnesses observed from a viewing platform how the man drove the seals from the beach into the water. They then alerted the police. Based on witness information, the officers identified a 26-year-old man. The police could not provide information on whether the man acted intentionally or possibly overlooked warning signs by accident. The 26-year-old now faces a regulatory offence procedure and a fine. (DPA)