Marine Charity Reports Increase in Injured Seals Post-Storm

A marine rescue charity has reported that seal rescuers in Cornwall have responded to 15 calls for animal assistance following Storm Darragh. British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) indicated an increase in reported injured seal pups since the storm, which occurred on December 7 and 8. Dan Jarvis of BDMLR stated that over 28 calls concerning injured seals in Cornwall have been made since the beginning of December. “Sadly not all of them have made it,” he said. He further noted that nationally, there have been over 280 call outs since early December, with more than 140 of these occurring after the storm. “It’s been a bit ridiculous,” he said. The welfare and conservation director highlighted that the national scarcity of rehabilitation facilities for marine mammals is burdening rescue groups. “We’re getting more casualties but there’s actually fewer rehabilitation spaces available,” he said. Mr. Jarvis suggested that climate change could be contributing to an increase in the number of seal pups requiring rescue. He explained that a “slight shift” in the timing of pup births, coupled with an increase in the frequency and intensity of storms, has resulted in a higher volume of rescue calls. “Our pups are actually starting to get born in August now as opposed to September.” He noted that climate change seems to have “widespread effects on the seasonality of many species,” seals among them, due to “shifting food sources and availability.”