Photo Gallery of Yorkshire grey seals and common seals

Yorkshire Grey Seals haul out regularly to rest, regulate their temperature, digest their food, moult, and pup. It's vital this is not interrupted as cumulative disturbance can be detrimental to their health. If you observe seals you should aim to leave them resting as you found them.

Our volunteers record i.d tags placed onto the seals' rear flippers from stays at rehabilitation facilities. Tags are a great way to document a seal's movement from its original release site and quantify the success of rehabilitated seals by welfare organisations. If you spot a tagged seal let us know but do not disturb seals to get the serial number. This one visited Yorkshire from Scotland.

Seal identification tags come in a variety of colours dependant on the rehabilitation facility. Optics such as binoculars are a great way to look for these markers without disturbing them. Send us any findings you may observe and we will let you know the history. This sub adult was released in Norfolk before visiting the Yorkshire coast.

Entanglements pose a significant threat to seals who are inquisitive and often investigate marine litter to their detriment. As the seal grows, the offending items act as a ligature causing severe lacerations restricting the animals ability to forage. Thankfully this juvenile Grey Seal was rescued in time and the monofilament line removed.

Seal entanglements can come from a variety of sources, our team, many of whom are trained marine mammal medics with the BDMLR have removed plastic bags, fishing line, tarpaulins, rubber inner tubes and fishing nets from seals in Yorkshire over the last 12 months. This seal was fortunately rescued in time. Never try to intervene, call the BDMLR on 01825 765546.

The time mothers spend with their pups is extremely short. At around 3 weeks old, most pups are left to fend for themselves and parental care ceases. To ensure they have the best chance of survival, never block or disturb nursing mothers as each feed can constute 1% of the pups total body weight. If you fear a pup is abandoned then keep your distance and call the BDMLR on 01825765546.