Grey seal pups born on beaches are vulnerable to disturbance during the critical nursing period. Human behavior near pupping sites significantly affects pup survival.
Grey seal pup welfare during the nursing period is profoundly sensitive to human disturbance. A pup apparently alone on a beach is likely waiting for its mother to return from feeding - human approach prevents maternal return and causes starvation. The single most impactful human behavior change is simple: keep distance and never approach seal pups on beaches.