We have enjoyed a long collaborative effort between partner organisations in wild seal research, rescue and rehabilitation.
As a result we are delighted to announce our collaborative publication on the post release monitoring of grey seals over 19 years.
Huge thanks to all our partners:
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust (also known as the Seal Research Trust)
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary
RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Hospital.
Sayer, S., Allen, R., Bellman, K., Beaulieu, M., Cooper, T., Dyer, N., Hockin, K., Hockley, K., Jarvis, D., Jones, G. and Oaten, P., Post release
monitoring of rehabilitated gray seal pups over large temporal and spatial scales. Marine Mammal Science.
Click here to access our paper
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/mms.12885
Abstract
Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation is used globally to aid the conservation and welfare of marine species, however, postrelease monitoring is challenging. Here, long-term, regional postrelease monitoring provides feedback for rehabilitation
centers for the gray seal (Halichoerus grypus).
Data from 1,094 rehabilitated gray seals over 19 years across the southwest UK were examined to assess postrelease survivorship and the impact of release site on movements and range. Using flipper tags combined with photo identification,
391 rehabilitated seals (35.7%) were re-sighted including 188 seals (17.2%) that were traced back to a specific rehabilitated individual with release data. The maximum monitoring duration for a single rehabilitated seal was 17 years, although the majority
(151/188; 80%) were sighted for less than five years and 80/188 (43%) were re-sighted for less than a year. Almost all 188 traced rehabilitated seals (n=176; 93.6%) visited the St Ives Bay Wild Site, yet only half had been released at the adjacent St Ives
Bay Release Site.
Rehabilitated seals had similar dispersal patterns to their wild conspecifics but over a smaller area. Once released, rehabilitated animals face the same threats as their wild counterparts.
Email seals@cornwallsealgroup.co.uk if you have any questions or to request a copy.
Many thanks
Sue Sayer
Cornwall needs Marine Rangers: Research Connect Inspire Conserve.
Sue Sayer
Seal Research Trust
Est. Cornwall 2000
Aka Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust (Charity number: 1162936)
Cornwall’s internationally renowned, multi award winning seal conservation charity
Identifying and monitoring local seals and protecting their marine environment
Get free:
*Seal Updates
http://eepurl.com/dHdy3j
*Family Activities
https://sealresearchtrust.com/pages/family-activities
*Talks about our seal conservation work
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuzvSLkxvtdgbnccHqibILQ/videos
Adopt
our wild seals: Real seals, real stories, real time! https://sealresearchtrust.com/pages/wild-seal-support-pack
Shop for beautiful gifts: Treat yourself, your friends and family
https://sealresearchtrust.com/
Facebook:
Instagram:
Youtube:
Twitter
CSGRT is 100% compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
The information contained in this e-mail message is confidential and intended for the use of the addressee(s) only.
You should not reproduce, distribute, store, retransmit, use or disclose its contents to anyone.
If you are not the intended recipient, please advise the sender immediately and delete the email and all copies (including attachments) from your system.