A Grey Seal of Approval

Early January, 2022. I was on a road trip across parts of the United Kingdom, checking out different conservation initiatives and natural areas after a pet sitting arrangement had concluded. My mom and I trudged along, braced against the freezing wind and misty rain, the waves barely making a sound over the dunes ahead. We'd gotten a bit of a late start after the drive the day before, so with our daylight already fading, we were determined to explore the area. As we navigated the sandy hill, brightly colored ropes directed us along a careful path designed to protect the dunes from human impact and erosion. Beyond the path, I couldn't help but notice the greenery and small flowers peeking up from the foliage, a pop of color in the bleak but fitting winter weather. A low grumble broke the silence as we finally crested the hill, not entirely sure what to expect. In front of us were dozens of seals sprawled across the beach in a mixture of adults and pups from the recent season. They lazed about, napping or, in the case of one curious pup, playing with a stick partially wedged in the sand. The excitement I felt seeing the seals and pups for the first time is something I'll always remember.

Grey seals lounge on the beaches at Horsey Gap, England.

Grey seals are a consistent fixture of Horsey Gap on England's eastern coast. From roughly November to January each year, the seals return to the beaches for the pupping season and give birth to white-coated pups, staying in the area to care for them. However, human interference can lead to a mother abandoning her pup entirely, so the presence of the many volunteer wardens to maintain distance and educate people about the animals is vital to seal pup survival. Weighing up to 880 lbs (nearly 400 kg), territorial bull seals in particular can also be dangerous, making the wardens' presence an important factor in making sure people keep a safe distance.

A grey seal cow and her pup at Horsey Gap.

When we returned the next day, the sun was shining and the seals were out en masse, nursing fuzzy white pups, sunning themselves, and playing around in the wintry waves. One pup called out repeatedly in a two-toned cry, sounding strangely like a child crying "mama" until the cow seal came flopping over to check on it, seemingly annoyed.

The fussy seal pup.

I talked with one of the wardens for a while about the ongoing conservation efforts and had parted ways along the ridge until being flagged down to look at something with my camera. He'd spotted a nursing cow seal off in the distance. Unfortunately, she had what appeared the be a plastic ring wound tightly around her neck, and the wardens couldn't do anything to help as it would risk separating her from the pup entirely. Instead, they would have to wait until the pup was older before they could hopefully treat the mother. It was a heartbreaking example of the negative impacts of plastic pollution in our oceans.

The grey seal cow with a plastic ring of some sort around her neck.

This particular experience is one that I know will stick with me for the rest of my life. We need to do our part to effectively educate and engage in active environmental discussions, hopefully seeing similar communities do their part to safeguard our green spaces and the species that reside in them. These seals are both the perfect example of concerted local volunteer efforts to protect species, and of the many hazards faced by wildlife in a world of plastic pollution. Fortunately, there is hope that we can make a difference. Factors like adequate funding and staffing for conservation initiatives and clean-up efforts are important and can provide local communities with more ways to support their wildlife and natural areas. If you're curious about ways to help out and would like additional resources, feel free to fill out the contact form on this site and I'll get back to you as soon as I can! I've included some below as well.

For more information on the grey seals at Horsey Gap, check out the official website for the Friends of Horsey Seals: Friends of Horsey Seals | Helping Seals Thrive

For more information on plastic pollution and ways you can help, check out these sites as a starting point:

#BeatPlasticPollution This World Environment Day (unep.org)

Plastic Pollution Coalition