Marine Wildlife

Wild Grey Seal Pupping Season Welfare

Grey seals gather in large colonies to pup in autumn and winter. Human disturbance during pupping significantly affects pup welfare and survival.

Key Facts

UK grey seals give birth from September to December, varying by colony
Pups are dependent on mothers for 3 weeks of nursing before weaning
Disturbance causes mothers to abandon pups - a leading cause of pup mortality
Dogs running on seal beaches cause significant pup trauma and separation
UK hosts approximately 40% of the world's grey seal population

Welfare Considerations

Grey seal pup welfare during the nursing period is critically dependent on undisturbed mother-pup contact. Separated pups starve rapidly as mothers do not generally return. Dogs on seal beaches cause panic that injures pups and separates nursing pairs. Legal protection of pupping beaches must be enforced rigorously during the vulnerable autumn nursing period.

What You Can Do

Keep dogs on leads on beaches where grey seals are pupping
Maintain at least 100 metres from seal colonies on beaches
Report seal disturbance to the RSPCA or British Divers Marine Life Rescue