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What We Do

The Atlantic grey seal colony in East Norfolk is particularly vulnerable to human disturbance during the three months when they come ashore to give birth to their young. It is the open space, extensive sand dunes and good fish stocks that likely attracts thousands of seals to Horsey and Winterton every year.

Our seal wardens explain to visitors that keeping a distance from them and observing them quietly improves conditions for the seals to breed successfully.

Wardening & Protecting the Colony

It is believed many pregnant females may return to the same beach where they were born. But these golden sandy beaches are also attractive to visitors and are easy to reach.

That is why Friends of Horsey Seals work hard to protect the colony and make sure people keep a safe distance while viewing the seals and pups. We recruit and train a large number of volunteer seal wardens from the community who complete shifts at both Horsey and Winterton, rain or shine, throughout the pupping season.

They deter people and dogs from getting too close to the pups, which might cause the mother to abandon her pup, leaving it to starve. They are also there to direct visitors to the safest and best viewing spots and to provide them up to date information about the seals.

ProtectingTheColony

Disturbance

One of the main causes of disturbance to breeding seals is people walking on the beach and getting too close. That is why an annual voluntary beach closure is put in place at Horsey between early November and late January.

Our wardens are responsible for creating safe viewing areas on the top of the dunes. Recently we helped construct a chestnut paling fence, paid for by Natural England, on the low dunes at Winterton to create a viewing corridor which keeps seals and people apart.

Threat to Humans

It is wise to remember that seals are wild animals and can pose a threat of injury to humans. Their bite can lead to a condition known as Seal Finger which if not treated straight away, can lead to an infection and even the loss of a digit or worse.

They are large feisty animals, especially the bulls. They will either flee from a perceived threat or stand their ground and fight and they can move surprisingly fast, for their size. Growth in the colony over recent years is a testimony to the efforts of our wardens to keep humans and seals from getting too close to each other.

Further Reading

Seal Rescues

Part of the FoHS ethos is to always put the needs of the seals first. Human interaction with them should be a last resort and only if absolutely necessary.

Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

Read More

Seal Counts

You may wonder why we count our seals during the pupping season, how we go about it and why we bother to do it at all?

Read More

 

Emergency?

If you see any seals in difficulty, please contact the FoHS Rescue Team on 07706 314514
or the RSPCA on 0300 1234999.

Friends of Horsey Seals

Contact Us

7 Church Road
Repps with Bastwick
Norfolk
NR29 5JP

enquiries@friendsofhorseyseals.co.uk

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