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Researchers ask public to report dead seals
The research will be the first large-scale study into seal deaths for more than 20 years.

New Defra-funded research will gather data on causes of death. 

Researchers at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) are asking members of the public to report any strandings of dead seals found in England and Wales.

The call comes as the ZSL’s Cetacean Stranding Investigation Programme (CSIP), which currently investigates stranded whales, dolphins, porpoises, marine turtles and sharks, expands its research to include grey and harbour seals.

Dead seals are often found on the coastlines of England and Wales, but there is currently limited information available about what causes their deaths or precisely how many are dying each year.

The expansion of the CSIP project has been funded by an eight-year grant from Defra. The research will be carried out in collaboration with partner organisations including the Natural History Museum, Marine Environment Monitoring, and the Cornwall Marine Pathology team.

It is more than 20 years since the last large-scale research project into seal deaths in England and Wales, which came as a response to the decline in North Sea seal populations caused by the phocine distemper virus (PDV).

Rob Deaville, CSIP project manager, said: “Monitoring seals populations and mortality is essential to allow us to spot any future outbreaks of PDV or other diseases such as influenza or mouth rot at an early stage. In light of recent positive cases of avian flu found in UK seals, we need to gain a better understanding of this new and emerging issue.

“We also need to learn more about the impacts on these iconic mammals from human activities, such as entanglement in fishing gear or marine plastics, ship-strikes, shooting and climate change. Investigating seal mortality may also help us gain a better understanding of the scale and extent of interactions between grey seals and other marine mammals.”

Sightings of dead seals in England and Wales can be reported to the CSIP by calling 0800 652 0333. Members of the public are advised not to approach or touch dead seals as they may be carrying disease.

 

Image (C) Zoological Society of London

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.