Grey seals are Britain's largest wild land mammal and gather in large pupping colonies on exposed Atlantic coasts, where welfare challenges include storm surges, disturbance, and entanglement.
Seal pup welfare during the pupping season depends on freedom from human disturbance. Flushing nursing females from pups can cause separation and starvation. Storm casualties are natural but entanglement in fishing gear causes significant unnatural mortality. Beach visitors must maintain strict distances during the pupping season.