Distribution, demographics and survivorship of grey seal pups (Halichoerus grypus) rehabilitated in southwest England

Published source details Barnett J. & Westcott S. (2001) Distribution, demographics and survivorship of grey seal pups (Halichoerus grypus) rehabilitated in southwest England. Mammalia, 65, 349-361.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Rehabilitate and release injured, sick or weak marine and freshwater mammals Action Link

Rehabilitate and release injured, sick or weak marine and freshwater mammals

A replicated study in 1992–1998 at multiple sites in the North Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of southwest England, UK (Barnett & Westcott 2001) found that 152 of 188 (81%) sick or injured grey seal Halichoerus grypus pups were successfully rehabilitated and released. Eighty-one percent of rescued grey seal pups (152 of 188) were successfully rehabilitated and released back into the wild. Survival of the pups after release was not reported. The other 36 seal pups died during rehabilitation due to their original illness or injury (28 pups) or complications during rescue and rehabilitation (e.g. accidental drowning, reaction to treatment, hyperthermia; 8 pups). All of 188 sick or injured seal pups (aged <5 days to 10 months old) were rescued between August 1992 and February 1998 along the coast of southwest England, UK and taken to a rehabilitation facility by experienced handlers or members of the public. Following rehabilitation, 152 pups were released back into the wild (number of release sites not reported).

(Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)