Welcome to Cwmtydu-Bay-Wildlife

THE GREY SEAL Halichoerus grypus

Grey seals in Britain are found mainly around exposed rocky northern and western coasts. A small colony is found off the Welsh coastline of Ceredigion.

Grey seals are easily recognized by their grey and brown fur, sometimes with a pattern of blotches; no visible ears; a long muzzle; and nostrils parallel.

The males (bulls) may weigh up to 350 kg and grow to over 2.3 m in length. The females (cows) are smaller at a maximum weight of 250 kg, and 2 m in length.

Grey seals are protected by law. They were the first mammals to be protected by law under the Grey Seals Protection Act of 1914. Atlantic Grey Seals are protected under the Conservation of Seals Act 1970; Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994.

  It is an offence to recklessly disturb these animals.

Grey seals come ashore to give birth in the autumn, to moult in the spring, and at other times at 'hauls', between trips for food at sea. Grey seals have increased in number over recent years, and this amounts to 38% of the world's population. The protection of these seals is of international conservation importance.

Grey seals are creatures of habit and will return to the same beaches to give birth to a single white-coated pup. They are fed on fat-rich milk for about 18 days. After which the pup moults and is abandoned. During this time it's important that the mother and pup are not disturbed in any way. The mothers depend on smell to identify their pups, and can abandon the pup, if threatened.
Dogs are especially a threat to the mother and pup.

Grey seals spend most of their time at sea, and are opportunist feeders. Sand eels and cod are important foods, but they will take what is available, and this has led to conflict with fishermen.

Seals can hold their breath when diving, which is why when you are watching them, they seem to disappear for ages. They can work without oxygen, building up an 'ox debt'. The brain must have a constant supply of oxygen and to make sure this is maintained, seals have a complex of blood vessels which under pressure, serve the brain alone.

The heartbeat rate can drop to about 10 beats or less per minute. The muscles also contain large amounts 'myoglobin', a compound capable of carrying oxygen. This all goes to prepare a seal to dive with breathing for some time.

Seals rest by hanging vertically in the water, with the head above the water.

Seals are especially sensitive to disturbance. In Europe the Mediterranean Monk Seal is now the rarest mammal , because it's breeding sites are now tourist beaches and hotel complexes. Its numbers are down to just 650.

While we watched the pup in 2001, we witnessed some of the courtship between the sexes, some of which seemed quite rough.

We were fortunate to witness the male launching himself up on the beach to check on the pup. This behavior is unusual, and we don't know if it has been seen before.

PHOCINE DISTEMPER VIRUS

You may have seen on the TV or read in the papers about the outbreak of a virus affecting common seals, (harbour seals as they are known in Europe). The results of post-mortem examinations carried out, confirmed the deaths are due to PDV or Phocine distemper virus.

Over 2000 dead seals have been counted, and the figure is still increasing.

The last outbreak of the virus was in 1988, which killed over 18,000 common seals in Europe.

Of 3,000 seals known to to have died in British Waters, only 300 were grey seals. It is found from blood tests that most grey seals have been exposed to the virus, and pup production was found to be lower in the following years.

Substantial numbers of seals were also killed in the UK. The population in the Wash declined by 50%. Grey seals were also exposed to the virus, but no large scale mortality was reported. In 1988 it took 4 months for the virus to reach the UK from Denmark.

Do not go near a washed-up seal, and keep your dog well away.

Unlike common seals, nearly all Grey seals show immunity to PDV (Carter et al. 1992; Hick, Duck & Thompson 1993).

The virus contains no threat to to human health, but dogs can catch the virus. Most dogs are vaccinated against it.(check with your vet).

Washed-up seals can carry other germs, it is wise not to go near seals, either on the beach or in the water.

  Seals can bite!! And these bites can become infected and can even prove fatal

For information on what to do if you find a sick, or injured seal, please click on -- How to find us

For further information about Phocine Distemper Virus click here to follow a link to Sea Mammal Research Unit.