[MARINE_BIOLOGY_INTERNATIONAL] Isle of Man seal calf warning as first pups are born

Isle of Man, UK - Wildlife experts in the Isle of Man have issued a seal pup warning ahead of the annual breeding season.

Officials from the Manx Wildlife Trust said pups may look harmless but they have extremely sharp teeth and can be aggressive if approached.

The first pups of the season were recently spotted on the Calf of Man.

Marine officer Eleanor Stone said mothers have been known to abandon their pups if they are unduly disturbed by the public.

Ms Stone said: "The wardens on the Calf of Man have found two pups already and over the next few weeks many more will begin their lives on this remote island."

The pups are born snowy white but in just a few short weeks they will shed this coat, be fattened up on their mother's milk, weaned and then left to fend for themselves.

Grey seals are Britain's largest living carnivore. Britain has 36% of the world population of grey seals around its shores. Around 600 are thought to live around the Manx coast. Common or grey? Bill Oddie explains the difference between the UK's two resident species of seal.

Playful pups - Enjoy watching grey seal pups learning about life.
Designed to dive - Marvel at the adaptations seals have to avoid getting the bends. On Tuesday, the Manx Wildlife Trust will begin a week-long monitoring programme to gain more insight into the grey seal population around the Manx coastline.

During previous surveys photographs taken of the mothers have proved that the same seals come back year after year to give birth and breed on the rocks at the Calf of Man.

Ms Stone added: "Some pups will also be born on the island, so you may come across them on a beach. Although they look cute and harmless, pups have sharp teeth and can be aggressive, so we would urge people not to approach them.

"Their mothers are very protective so could also be aggressive if they feel their pup is being threatened. Mothers may also abandon their pups, if they pick up a different scent, for example of a human or dog.

"So if you do come across one on a beach, put dogs on leads and keep to a distance to ensure that every pup has the best chance of survival."