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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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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

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News Shorts
Germany livestock import ban lifted

The UK government has amended its ban on the import of livestock, meat and dairy products from Germany.

Defra said the decision follows 'rigorous technical assessment' of the measures applied and the current situation. "If the situation changes, we will not hesitate to take necessary action in response to the FMD outbreaks in the European Union to protect our domestic biosecurity," it said.

The ban was implemented in January following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) near Berlin. Personal imports of meat, milk and dairy products will remain in place at a country level.