Pre-Pup Season Warning: Help Us Protect Cornwall’s Vulnerable Seal Pups

Monday, 01 September 2025

As the days get shorter and the weather starts to turn, we’re getting ready for one of our busiest and most important times of the year: grey seal pup season. Every year, adorable but vulnerable pups are born along Cornwall’s beaches, and while many are thriving under their mothers’ care, they face real risks from human disturbance. That’s why we’re asking everyone to help us give these little seals the best start in life by keeping a safe distance and respecting their space.

As the seasons change and stormy weather approaches, we at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary want to ask everyone to be extra vigilant, as the grey seal pup season is beginning along the Cornish coast.

Every year, vulnerable seal pups are born on our beaches. While most thrive under the care of their mothers, human disturbance is one of the biggest threats to their survival.

You might see a seal pup alone on the sand and think it’s abandoned, but in most cases, its mother is nearby in the water, returning regularly to feed it. The best chance for any pup to survive is to stay with its mum, and that can only happen if we all keep our distance.

Give Seals Space This Pup Season

We’re asking beachgoers, walkers, and dog owners to follow a few simple but crucial guidelines this pup season:

Keep dogs under control: Even the friendliest dog can threaten seals or disturb their rest. Please keep your dog on a lead and well away from any seal sightings. It protects wildlife and keeps your pet safe from potential bites or infections.
Admire from a distance: Seal pups need plenty of rest. Human presence, even from afar, can stress them or interrupt important behaviours like feeding and bonding with their mothers. Staying at least 100 metres away helps keep them safe.
Call for advice if concerned: If you’re worried about a pup, please contact us at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary or British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) before taking any action. Don’t approach or try to move the pup yourself, we’ll assess the situation and respond appropriately.

Stormier conditions can wash pups onto beaches, which means you may encounter them more often. In many cases, these pups are simply resting and don’t need intervention unless they’re injured or malnourished.

Our Animal Care team is always ready to respond when seal pups genuinely need help, but the best way to protect these young animals is to prevent disturbance in the first place.

Everyone can play a part in giving Cornwall’s seal pups the best chance of survival this season. By keeping a respectful distance and controlling our dogs, we can help these pups thrive.

If you need more information or need to report a pup in distress, please contact:

Cornish Seal Sanctuary: 01326 221361
BDMLR hotline: 01825 765546