While monk seals are generally not aggressive, mother seals are large and powerful and can be very protective of their young, as evidenced by a 2022 encounter between a swimmer and mother seal at Kaimana Beach that resulted in the swimmer receiving lacerations to her face, back and an arm.

Getting too close can be dangerous for both the seals and humans.

A search was launched for Justin Evans, 24, after he disappeared from the Orkney island of Papa Stronsay last month.