Harbour seal pups regularly become separated from their mothers and strand on UK beaches. Understanding when and how to intervene protects both individual welfare and population viability.
Harbour seal pup welfare is significantly threatened by well-intentioned human interference. A pup that is actually healthy and resting between feeding sessions can be pushed into genuine crisis when approached repeatedly or moved prematurely. Licensed rehabilitation centres provide the specialised care including tube feeding, disease treatment, and socialisation that individual rescuers cannot replicate. The best welfare action for most stranded seals is to call for expert advice rather than intervene directly.