What to do if you find a seal pup

The presence of a seal pup on the beach does not necessarily mean the pup is in trouble. If you find a pup, then the best advice is to keep well away and watch from a distance. Unweaned pups have long white coats and may appear to be on their own, but often their mothers are fishing just offshore.

Mothers often keep a discreet eye on their pups and keep a wary eye on any onlookers. Older pups already have their first adult coat - short hair coloured grey, black, brown or white and sometimes blotched with black markings. With such pups, you would not necessarily expect to see another seal in the vicinity. Signs of ill health can also be looked for.For example, a rather thin, bony outline rather than the well-rounded contours of a well-nourished pup, obvious wounds and swellings, coughing, sneezing and harsh, heavy breathing and discharging, cloudy eyes.

Grey seal pup
photograph by Stephen Westcott

If you are in any doubt, watch for a while and then call in those with more experience. They will be able to assess the situation and ensure that only those pups that really need it are brought in for care and rehabilitation.