'Seal sitters' wanted to look after resting pups around Manx coast

Seal pups can often be spotted resting across the Isle of Man's coastline

A conservation charity has made a call for volunteers to observe and monitor seal pups found around the Isle of Man's coastline.

The Manx Wildlife Trust's (MWT) said "seal sitters" were needed to stay with an animal after it was spotted to make sure it was not distressed or injured.

It said the volunteers contributed to "vital" marine conservation work.

A representative said people were also needed to join its marine strandings team.

Marine wildlife officer Lara Howe said pups often hauled up "in less than suitable beaches" to rest, especially in really windy weather.

She said the data collected by volunteers was "invaluable" and a huge help in looking after the mammals.

She said "seal sitters" usually stayed with the seal until it returned to the sea or, if short on time, placed signage nearby to ask beach users to give the pup plenty of space.

She added that any new volunteers would need "a strong stomach" as the role also involved collecting data on dead animals, including basking sharks and turtles, that washed up.

The collected data is used into the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme, which is run by the Zoological Society of London with the aim of building up information about causes of death, disease, contaminants and reproductive patterns around the British Isles.

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