# German Baltic seal protection concerns > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/german-baltic-seal-protection-concerns > Updated: 2026-08-07T01:16:06.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2. In late July, German authorities reported ten seal carcasses along the Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern coast, noting a mix of natural and disease‑related causes and a few possible human impacts such as by‑catch. They issued public guidance urging beach‑goers to keep a 300‑metre distance from solitary seals, avoid touching or moving them, and keep dogs away, while directing sightings to designated rescue stations. A week later, a video from Timmendorfer Strand showed visitors surrounding and handling a young seal. The environmental group BUND condemned the behaviour, emphasizing the stress such contact causes and the risk of disease transmission. BUND called for clearly marked exclusion zones on busy beaches and the protection of low‑disturbance coastal sections along the Schleswig‑Holstein Baltic coast, naming several nature reserves as potential sites. Together, the snapshots show a progression from initial investigation and general safety advice to heightened advocacy for stricter distance measures and protected zones to safeguard the seals. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-07: BUND urges distance after seal disturbance at Timmendorfer Strand BUND condemns beachgoers touching a seal at Timmendorfer Strand, urging 100‑metre distance, dog leashes and protected resting zones for seals. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bund-urges-distance-after-seal-disturbance-at-timmendorfer-strand ### 2026-07-29: German Baltic Coast Seal Deaths Spark Investigation and Public Guidance Dead seals on the Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern coast show mixed causes, some possibly human‑related; officials urge a 300 m distance and contact seal‑rescue stations for sightings. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hamburg-and-boltenhagen-highlight-german-fish-bun-culture --- Cite as: German Baltic seal protection concerns. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/german-baltic-seal-protection-concerns