Latest news with #greyseal
BBC News
21 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Warning as South Walney seal colony disturbed by kayaks
People in kayaks and canoes have been urged to stay away from a grey seal Wildlife Trust said there had been a rise in people disturbing the seals at its South Walney Nature Reserve near charity reminded people the government advises all watercrafts stay a minimum of 328ft (100m) away from seal haul-out sites, and that area on the beach had no public Gould, marine officer at Cumbria Wildlife Trust, said when the seals were disturbed they were prevented from resting, digesting their food and caring for their young. "While wildlife encounters can be an exciting experience, there are important guidelines in place to protect people and seals from harm," the charity would know if they were too close if the seals started to look at them, it added."If this happens, immediately start backing away quietly to avoid further disturbance." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
18-05-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Rehabilitated seals from Cornish Seal Sanctuary tracked using GPS
A GPS tagging project has given researchers an insight into the movements of rehabilitated grey seal pups. The trial study run by Dr Luis Huckstadt of the University of Exeter, in cooperation with the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, tracked the movements of 16 rehabilitated seal pups, which were released from the sanctuary in first pup fitted with a tag, Maggot, made an unexpected journey to Brittany, travelling more than 150 miles (241km). A second pup named Selkie, rescued from Jersey in January, was the first of the seals in the study to cross international waters by swimming up the River Somme in northern France. Whirligig, a pup rescued from Weymouth, headed straight back to his local waters after being was earlier spotted lounging on the pontoons of Brixham Harbour in the spring. Dung Beetle, a pup released in south Cornwall, headed straight for the southern coast of Van Domberg, senior animal care specialist and research coordinator at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, said: "For the first time, we're seeing where these pups go, how quickly they settle, and where they find feeding grounds."The early data gives us valuable insight into the success of rehabilitation and the behaviour of young seals post-release." The sanctuary said the project was made possible thanks to guests and supporters, as well as the dedication of the its animal care team, who rehabilitated more than 30 pups over the Van Domberg said: "We rescue seals with the aim of releasing strong, healthy animals back into the wild. "But thanks to this technology, we're finally able to follow their stories beyond the shoreline."It's amazing to see them thriving, exploring, and in some cases, travelling hundreds of miles."It's real proof that our work matters. "It's so exciting to see where they head off to and heartwarming to know that they are doing so well out there in the wild."
