The way we count the pups is changing
Until now, the pups were counted individually by rangers and volunteers walking carefully through the colony, but from this year, numbers of newborns and weaned pups - which will have moulted their white fur but will be much smaller than the adults - will be recorded in just one specific area.
The change in the number of pups recorded in this area from one year to the next will give an indication of what is happening across the whole colony – for example whether or not the colony is still increasing in size and if so, how quickly. This new approach will also give staff the opportunity to look in-depth at the behavior of the animals, including how long the pups are fed by their mothers.
National Trust Ranger, Leighton Newman, said, “When the seals first started pupping here it was really important to count the pups to help us monitor the health of the colony. More recently, however, the density of the colony has increased hugely and walking through the colony is now not safe for staff or for the seals.
“Changing the way we do things recognises that methodologies need to change over time, in response to changes to both the colony itself and the techniques available to help us study it. Over the coming years we can hopefully push forward with this new approach but also work with experts and scientists to keep up with any other new or improved methods of monitoring this important colony.”