An emergency police response was triggered in Swansea after a “human hand” was discovered on a beach, only for the remains to be identified as part of a seal.
While patrolling Rhossili on the Gower, South Wales Police were alerted by coastguard members to a potential human body part at Llangennith beach. The force posted on Facebook that they had received a report of a “human foot/hand” found on the shore.
Authorities explained that the area is known for washing up parts of dead seals and other marine animals, making it difficult for the public to distinguish between human and seal bones, as seals also have five “fingers” and “toes.”Gareth Richards, who runs the Gower Seal Group, happened to be nearby and was asked by officers to assist.
It took Richards and the officers four hours to locate and identify the remains, which turned out to be part of a seal.”A member of the public had taken photographs of what they believed to be a ‘human hand’ sticking out of the sand and sent them to the emergency services,” Richards told Sky News.
“It’s very difficult to interpret photographs, and it did look a little suspicious.”Richards, after double-checking with the police to ensure it was safe to examine the remains, confirmed they belonged to a roughly year-old seal scavenged by birds.
“Because of the type of call that actually came in, the duty investigator was informed, and crime scene investigators were on standby,” he said. “It probably saved the police and taxpayers quite a few thousands of pounds by having that good relationship and me just happening to be in the area.”
Richards emphasised the importance of public vigilance and advised anyone with concerns to contact the appropriate authorities and let them handle the situation.
