To the untrained eye, a grey seal and a common seal may look the same, yet there are key differences. Grey seals are huge. Males can weigh up to 300kg and grow to 2.5 metres long, whereas common seals are almost a third of the size. Grey seal pups are distinctly covered in white fur. Common seal pups, on the other hand, are born with a brown, waterproof coat, making them … [Read more...] about New threats facing Ireland’s seals
grey seal
New Citizen Science Project needs your Seal Sightings!
A new research project at the Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) in partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is looking for public input to analyse seal populations around the Irish coast.The project is being undertaken by German native Kristina Steinmetz, a graduate of the Biodiversity and Conservation MSc. programme at GMIT, as part of … [Read more...] about New Citizen Science Project needs your Seal Sightings!
Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus)
When it was made the world’s first officially protected species in 1914 the future looked bleak for the grey seal. The turnaround since then represents perhaps the most successful conservation story in history, and offers hope that efforts to save many of our endangered species may not be in vain.Since their protection grey seal numbers have been rising steadily and the … [Read more...] about Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus)
Seals shot in Co. Waterford; IWT calls for full investigation
The Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) is calling on the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Gardaí to launch a full investigation into the killing of seals in Co. Waterford. Two grey seals were discovered on Tuesday 21 February near Tramore, Co. Waterford with horrific gunshot wounds to the head. The suffering animals were euthanized humanely under veterinary supervision. Grey … [Read more...] about Seals shot in Co. Waterford; IWT calls for full investigation