Grey seal haul-out sites are critical welfare resources where seals rest, molt, and give birth, requiring protection from disturbance to maintain their ecological function.
Grey seal haul-out welfare requires visitors and wildlife observers to understand that their presence, even from what appears a respectful distance, can cause disturbance that has real welfare consequences. Seals that flee haul-out sites expend energy unnecessarily and may separate pups from mothers at critical developmental stages. Drone overflights, even at heights that appear non-threatening, flush seals from haul-outs and have been documented to cause pup mortality at breeding colonies. Designated viewing distances, managed access during the pupping season, and public education about disturbance consequences are the most important welfare management tools at grey seal sites.