'Significant decline' in seal pups born at coast

There has been a "significant drop" in the number of seal pups born on the Lincolnshire coast, a wildlife trust has said.

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust reported fewer pups being born at Donna Nook Nature Reserve, near Louth, and in other areas on the east coast.

In total, 1,649 pups were born between October and December at the reserve which is a 25% fall compared to the previous year.

The trust said the decline is the largest since monitoring started 40 years ago investigations into the possible causes will take place.

The first pup of the 2024 season was born on 29 October at Donna Nook with the final one arriving on 22 December.

The total number of grey seal pups born was 1,649, down from 2,207 the year before.

The trust said over the last five years, pup numbers at Donna Nook had remained stable at around 2,200 and are unsure of the reason behind the decline.

A decrease in seal pup populations in other areas along the east coast has also been reported.

The Sea Mammal Research Unit, a marine science research organisation in Scotland, is investigating possible causes of the decline.

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