The Cornish Seal Sanctuary is experiencing a sharp increase in seal pup call outs following the recent storm affecting Cornwall, with several reports coming in each day from across the county’s coastline.
Working closely with British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), the Sanctuary’s rescue and hospital teams are responding to growing numbers of seals in difficulty. As a result, the Sanctuary’s hospital is currently at full capacity, with space only becoming available once rehabilitated pups can be released back into the wild.
However, ongoing stormy conditions and rough seas are significantly delaying these releases. Once pups have reached a healthy weight and are fully ready to return to the ocean, the Sanctuary team are at the mercy of the weather and tides. The current severe weather Cornwall is experiencing is limiting opportunities to very short and unpredictable weather windows, making safe releases increasingly challenging.
“Storms and rough seas are a natural part of life for seals, and healthy animals are incredibly resilient to bad weather,” said Megan Reay, Animal Care Supervisor at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary. “The real concern is when seals get into trouble; once that happens, they can struggle to feed, become malnourished, and are unable to rest properly, leaving them vulnerable and in need of intervention.”
Megan Continues - “Recently we have seen quite a few pups come in to us with malnourishment and exhaustion. Sadly, we also have a case of a pup being entangled in fishing gear, which is unfortunately a serious and ongoing threat to marine wildlife around the UK coastline.
The pup affectionally named ‘Cheesecake’ is currently being cared for in our nursery pools and making great progress in her rehabilitation and recovery.”
With call outs rising, the Sanctuary is urging members of the public to be vigilant but respectful when encountering seals on the beach.
Important advice for beach walkers and the public:
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Keep at least 100 metres away from seals at all times
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Keep dogs on leads and well away from seals
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Do not attempt to touch, feed, or move a seal
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Avoid crowding, noise, or taking close-up photographs
A seal resting on the beach is not necessarily abandoned or in distress. Disturbance can force them back into the sea before they are ready, using up vital energy they need to survive.
If you are concerned about a seal’s welfare, the public is advised to call BDMLR’s 24-hour hotline on 01825 765546 for expert guidance.
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary continues to monitor conditions closely and will release rehabilitated pups as soon as weather conditions allow, ensuring the best possible chance of survival once they return to the wild.
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