Wildlife Welfare

Seal Pup Rescue and Rehabilitation

Seal pup rescue and rehabilitation centers provide welfare support to injured, ill, and separated pups, returning recovered animals to the wild.

Key Facts

Grey and common seal pups are frequently found stranded on UK beaches, sometimes needing help
Not all apparently stranded pups need intervention - mothers may be nearby
British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) coordinates seal rescue across the UK
Rescue centers like the RSPCA and the Cornish Seal Sanctuary provide specialist rehabilitation
Release success rates for well-rehabilitated seals are high, with satellite tracking confirming survival

Welfare Considerations

Seal rescue and rehabilitation provides direct welfare benefit to individual animals who would otherwise die from injury, starvation, or illness. Supporting the organizations that provide this service and knowing when to intervene (and when not to) are both important welfare contributions.

What You Can Do

Contact BDMLR or equivalent before approaching any stranded seal - intervention may not be needed
Support seal rescue organizations through donation
Never disturb seals haul-out sites - maintain at least 100m distance