By Helena Coles, Research Intern
Pupping season is making a splash in Cardigan Bay! Every year from September until November the female Atlantic Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) come ashore to give birth to 1 pup. Remarkably, the UK is host to 40% of the world population of grey seals (Russel et al 2019). The population in West Wales alone is estimated at approximately 5,000 individuals, with around 66 pups born annually within the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC) (Cardigan Bay SAC, n.d.). So far, we have already observed several newborn pups, which were seen onboard the Dolphin Spotting Boat Trips in New Quay.
The Life of a Grey Seal Pup
Female grey seals nurse their pups intensively for the first 2-3 weeks, providing them with energy-rich milk. This milk is among the richest in the animal kingdom, containing up to 60% fat (Langley et al., 2020). During this nursing period, the mother fasts, relying entirely on her fat reserves to support both her own energy needs and those of her pup. After weaning, the mother returns to the sea, leaving the pup to fend for itself. The pup, born with a distinctive white coat of fur known as lanugo, will shed this coat as it develops and replaces it with the grey adult pelage. This process, known as moulting, typically occurs by the time the mother departs (Russell et al., 2019). At this point, the pup must independently learn to hunt for food and navigate the marine environment.
Images of Grey Seal Pups. Photos taken by Helena Coles
Grey Seal Fact File
- Physical Description
- Males (bulls): Can grow up to 3m long.
- Females (cows): Slightly smaller than males, up to 1.7m long.
- Colour: Grey pelage, with males generally darker than females.
- Lifespan: 25-35 years in the wild; females often live longer.
- Gestation period: 11.5 months
- Range: They are found on both shores of the North Atlantic Ocean, ranging from the UK and Ireland to the coastal waters of Canada and the US.
- Diet: Predominantly fish, including herring and flatfish, but also crustaceans and molluscs like squid.
- Conservation Status: Protected in the UK (The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, n.d)
- Fun Fact: Grey seals, though air-breathing mammals, can remain submerged for up to 20 minutes! (Kiełpińska and Kowalski, 2021).
Where to see seals in Cardigan Bay?
The best time to observe grey seals in Cardigan Bay is during the pupping season, when females come ashore in larger numbers to give birth. However, grey seals are present year-round along the Welsh coast, often seen resting on rocks or beaches. Key locations for observing seals include:
- Cwmtydu Beach
- Mwnt and Bird Rock near New Quay (from the coastal path)
- Cardigan Island Farm Park, Gwbert (view from the headland)
- Wildlife boat trips from New Quay or Aberaeron, such as Dolphin Spotting Boat Trips
- Cemaes Head
What to do if you encounter seals?
If you encounter grey seals or seal pups, it is crucial to maintain a respectful distance of at least 50 metres to avoid causing disturbance. Keep dogs under control, as approaching seals too closely can lead to stress, which may cause a mother to abandon her pup.
Remember, pups are often left alone while their mothers forage at sea, and this does not necessarily indicate abandonment. However, if a seal appears injured, ill, or malnourished, it’s important to contact the appropriate rescue hotlines rather than attempting to move the animal yourself.
- Cardigan Bay Marine Protected Area Officer – Melanie Heath
- Phone: 07707856891
- Email: melanie.heath2@ceredigion.gov.uk
If you find a pup that is showing signs of illness, injury or malnutrition please call one of the hotlines listed below. Please, do not attempt to move the animal yourself.
- BDMLR rescue hotline (24hr): 01825 765546
- RSPCA Hotline (England and Wales): 0300 1234 999
Enjoy your seal-watching adventure and thank you for helping to keep our seals safe!
References
Atlantic grey seal (no date). Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Available at: https://cardiganbaysac.org.uk/ (Accessed 22 September 2024).
Kiełpińska, J. and Kowalski, P.A. (2021). Numerical modelling of the population of grey seal (halichoerus grypus) from the Baltic Sea in the context of reduction of damage to fishing economy, Ecological Indicators, 107423 doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2021. (Accessed 22 September 2024).
Grey seal (no date), The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. Available at: https://www.welshwildlife.org/wildlife-explorer/marine/marine-mammals-and-sea-turtles/grey-seal (Accessed 22 September 2024).
Langley, I., Rosas da Costa Oliver, T., Hiby, L. et al. (2020). Site use and connectivity of female grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) around Wales. Mar Biol 167, 86 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-020-03697-8 (Accessed 11 September 2024)
Russel, D., Morris, C., Duck, C., Thompson, D., Hiby, L. (2019). Monitoring long-term changes in UK grey seal pup production. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 29 (S1) https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3100 (Accessed 11 September 2024).
