A baby seal has died following hours of stress while being squeezed and photographed by a group of people who gathered around her when she was washed ashore, it is believed.
The tiny animal, named Nelly by animal lovers, was petted by onlookers who spotted her when she was washed ashore.
Despite her scared crying, residents in Zarubino, in eastern Russia, took photos and stroked her as her mum swam nearby waiting for an opportunity to retrieve her.
Animal rights activists managed to clear the crowd and guarded the pup from dogs and people in an effort to reunite her with her mother.
Tragically however the mother approached and sniffed her baby, but returned to the water alone, leaving Nelly on the shore.
When dusk came, the mother abandoned the pup and swam away.
The baby seal was taken to a rehabilitation centre in a state of severe shock after the human attention she had received.
Vets gave her medical attention, but were unable to save Nelly's life, officials confirmed.
Experts believe that she died as a result of the stress she had been put under by the crowd of people.
Baby seals are vulnerable to hormones caused by stress, vets said, leading to Nelly's tragic death.
In a statement the vet centre where she was treated said: ''Nelly died from the physiological effects of stress.
"The baby seals are very fearful. The hormones of stress, adrenaline and cortisol kill them."
Following the incident, vets warned people not to approach wild animals and call specialists instead.
