Seals and storms: The hidden threat of climate change on seal pups
As climate change drives more frequent and severe storms, vulnerable marine species are increasingly at risk. A groundbreaking new study, now published in the international journal Oceans, provides the first large-scale evidence of how storminess directly affects grey seal pups (Halichoerus grypus) in the British Isles – and what action is urgently needed.
The research paper, entitled “Vulnerability of Grey Seal Pups (Halichoerus grypus) to Storm Disturbances in the Context of Climate Change: A British Isles Case Study”, highlights the urgent need for enhanced marine wildlife rescue operations and long-term seal conservation strategies.
Over 20,000 rescue records analysed
To understand the impact of storms on seal pups, researchers analysed an extensive dataset of over 20,000 wildlife rescue records and hospital admissions collected between 2015 and 2024. These records provide powerful empirical evidence that storm activity leads to a sharp rise in injured or malnourished seal pups needing urgent care.
Grey seal pups are born on open shores and spend the first critical weeks of their lives on land. Initially covered in a white coat, they are nursed by their mothers for about three weeks, rapidly gaining weight essential for survival. After weaning, the mothers return to sea, and the pups remain on land for around another three weeks, during which time they moult and develop a darker adult-like coat before eventually venturing into the sea themselves.
During this six-week period ashore, when they are still poor swimmers, seal pups are particularly vulnerable. Strong storms can sweep them into the water prematurely, and human disturbance can add further stress. This makes the coastal nursery phase one of the most dangerous life stages for grey seals.
Common health issues observed in pups during storm periods included malnutrition, head trauma, flipper injuries, as well as other wounds and infections. Each of these conditions showed a marked increase during stormy periods, along with a higher rate of rescue call-outs.
Preparing for a stormier future
Lead author Keely Saville, who conducted the study as part of her Master’s degree at the University of Bristol, emphasizes the broader implications: “Seals are exposed to many different negative impacts, some of which are increasing and being exacerbated by climate change. Our findings, given the predicted increase in seal pup casualties, reinforce the urgent need for an expansion of seal rehabilitation facilities in strategic locations with adequate long-term resourcing. This will complement the existing rescue network and alleviate the current and increasing strain on facilities and will help improve the welfare of grey seals in the light of climate change.”
Given the predicted increase in storm severity, these findings will also aid rescue and rehabilitation planning, helping rescuers to anticipate periods of increased admissions and better prepare for the types of injuries seal pups are likely to suffer following storm events. The potential significance to the long-term conservation of the species is also clearly highlighted.
Saville’s research was supervised by Mark Simmonds OBE, Director of Science at OceanCare, who warns that while grey seals are currently considered relatively abundant, climate change could swiftly alter that status: “Whilst at this time the grey seal is seen as a relatively plentiful species, climate change has the potential to turn this on its head and the first life stage of the species, when pups are raised on exposed sites on the seashore makes them especially vulnerable to being injured or killed”.
Collaboration for Conservation
The study is a result of collaboration between academic researchers and marine wildlife rescue experts, with OceanCare playing a coordinating role. Senior Science Officer Laetitia Nunny, who also co-authored the paper, praised the cooperative effort: “This research results from a great collaboration between researchers and those involved in monitoring seal populations and also the marine animal rescue and rehabilitation community. At OceanCare we were very pleased to help to coordinate this and bring this study to fruition.”
Why this matters: a global responsibility
The United Kingdom is home to approximately 34% of the world’s grey seal population. While the species is currently considered relatively plentiful, the findings underscore how climate change could pose serious risks to its long-term survival—starting with the most fragile members of the population: pups.
As extreme weather events become the new normal, this research strengthens the case for scaling up rescue infrastructure and investing in long-term, climate-resilient marine conservation strategies.
You can read the full study here.
