Dear MARMAM community, 

on behalf of my co-authors, I am happy to share with you our latest publication which has just been published in Polar Biology: 

Nachtsheim, D.A., Hasselmeier, I., Teilmann, J. Rosenberger, T., Siebert U. (2026) Horizontal movements and diving behaviour of two vagrant hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) pups following rehabilitation in Germany. Polar Biol 49, 89. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-026-03529-3 

The study presents the movements and diving behaviour of two female hooded seal pups after rehabilitation and release in the German North Sea. The fate of the two animals was very different: one seemingly made it back to its native range whereas the other seal was found emaciated after a few weeks in the UK and was placed in permanent captivity. We discuss the importance of satellite telemetry in evaluating post-release success and contribute to the broader discussion on the viability and ethics of rehabilitating extralimital marine mammals.

Feel free to contact me in case of questions.

Best
Dominik

P.S. The paper also contains a list of strandings of hooded seals in European waters dating back to the 1600s! 

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Dr. Dominik A. Nachtsheim

Marine Biologist (International M.Sc. in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation)

 

Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW)

University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation
Werftstr. 6

25761 Büsum

Germany

 

E-Mail: Dominik.Nachtsheim@tiho-hannover.de 

Tel:  +49 511 856-8159

Fax: +49 511 856-8181

 

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