Two men camping in a cove celebrated for its seal colony were woken by wardens and ordered to leave immediately. Their decision to pitch a tent at a sensitive wildlife site was condemned by Conwy Council as potentially "hugely damaging". Grey seal numbers in Pigeon Cove at the foot of the Great Orme, Llandudno, have flourished dramatically since the colony was established in 2017. Population counts fluctuate between 180-300 depending on the season and breeding success rates.

Due to previous disruptions at the location, warning signs on Marine Drive above the cove alert visitors that entry is prohibited. Additional notices positioned on a rocky ledge above the shoreline inform of camping restrictions and access limitations. These warnings were completely disregarded by the pair, who set up a tent and camping gear on the stone platform. Their arrival seems to have frightened off the seals during a crucial period when females are expecting pups.

Wildlife enthusiasts were appalled by their behaviour, whilst Conwy Council warned that disturbing seals can result in "abandonment and death of pups", reports North Wales Live.

The unauthorised campsite was discovered and recorded by a tour guide from Adventure Tour Snowdonia, which provides daily excursions around the National Park departing from Llandudno. The company's Sunday expeditions usually begin with a journey around the Great Orme and a visit to observe the Pigeon Cove seals. The guide expressed: "As a local business and advocates of nature, we always tell our passengers to remain silent when viewing the seals from Marine Drive – to grab a photo and quietly return to the bus."

He went on to say: "We know the seals have been returning for breeding and will be giving birth before winter. Our guides have been stopping here in recent weeks as the seals have returned in numbers.

"As the tide was out, it was almost guaranteed we would see the seals - and we often talk beforehand to the wardens who look after the seals. As guides, we usually get out first: guests remain on the bus until we give the all clear to quietly disembark.

"To my amazement, there were two men storming up and down the secluded beach. Not a seal in sight, apart from a few far out, heads bobbing looking towards the beach.

"I went back to my guests and apologised - I told them they would not be seeing the seals as I had a situation to deal with. I went back out and started instructing the men to get off the beach." Upon realising the "idiots" had also left a mess on the rocks, he informed them that it was a protected beach for the seals and they should not be down there.

"They had obviously scared all the seals away, possibly affecting their breeding grounds. I told them to immediately leave. One man shrugged his shoulders, as if to say, 'so what'. "When I again told them to get off the beach, one gave me the middle finger, then folded his arms. They showed no care or remorse – more of a 'what are you going to do about it attitude'."

Following his confrontation with the pair, the tour guide filmed the two campers on his mobile phone before heading back to the bus where he received a round of applause from its 16 passengers.

The footage was then shared on local social media pages in hopes of alerting council wardens to the situation.

The strategy proved successful.

A Conwy Council spokesperson confirmed: "We responded to a report of illegal camping at Pigeon Cove over the Bank Holiday weekend. The campers were woken from their tent and instructed to leave immediately, which they did.

"Camping is prohibited in the Great Orme Country Park under its byelaws and at this location in particular can have a hugely damaging impact on the seal colony. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox".

"As we are now in seal breeding season, access to Pigeon Cove for any reason is restricted. There is signage on Marine Drive and on the shelf above the cove informing people of this and the reason why. Disturbing seals can cause abandonment and death of pups.

"Most people wouldn't want that on their conscience, and thankfully the vast majority of visitors respect and value the Great Orme and its wildlife, which is what makes it such a special place."

Adventure Tour Snowdonia offers tailor-made adventure tours and sightseeing experiences in Conwy and Eryri (Snowdonia). Further information can be found here.