Wildlife Conservation

Wild Common Seal Welfare and Pupping Season

Common seals give birth to pups in June and July on exposed sandbanks and beaches. Human disturbance during pupping can cause pup abandonment and welfare emergencies.

Key Facts

Common seal pups are born able to swim but depend on their mothers for several weeks
Human approach within 100 metres of pupping seals can cause panic and pup separation
Abandoned pups that do not reunite with mothers require wildlife rescue intervention
UK common seal populations declined significantly during the 2000s partly due to disease
Grey seal predation on common seal pups occurs in some areas

Welfare Considerations

Common seal pupping is a critical welfare period where human behaviour has direct consequences for individual seal survival. Maintaining respectful distances is the simplest and most effective public welfare action.

What You Can Do

Stay at least 100 metres from resting or pupping seals
Keep dogs on leads near seal haul-out sites year-round
Contact British Divers Marine Life Rescue if you find a seal pup in apparent distress