Grey seals have one of their largest breeding colonies in the UK. The breeding season brings significant welfare challenges, compounded by human disturbance at accessible beach colonies.
Grey seal pups depend entirely on their mothers for the first three weeks of life. Disturbance that causes maternal abandonment results in starvation and death for the pup - a prolonged and distressing welfare outcome. Adult seals that haul out to rest are also significantly stressed by human approach. The welfare costs of inappropriate wildlife watching are real and sometimes fatal. Education and beach wardening at key colonies during the breeding season are essential welfare interventions.