Norfolk's Grey Seal Pups Surge from 25 to 4,000 Amid Rising Sea Levels

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The grey seal colony at Blakeney National Nature Reserve expects 4,000 new pups, marking an extraordinary surge from just 25 births in 2001.

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Norfolk's pristine coastline transforms into a natural nursery as over 1,200 seal pups already born between Horsey and neighboring beach in November.

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Volunteer wardens patrol daily to shield mother seals from disturbances, preventing pup abandonment during crucial nursing periods.

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Suffolk's Orford Ness established its first seal colony as 200 seals settled on the remote shingle beach at the National Trust site.

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Offshore wind farms potentially provide new grounds for marine life, creating fish nurseries that could support seal populations along British shores

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Rising sea levels pose fresh challenges as storm surges separate pups from mothers, prompting conservation groups to establish inland safety zones.

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Cornwall faces concerning mortality rates with seal deaths surpassing births, particularly affecting pups under one year old.♣

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North Sea's improved water quality shows 27% reduction in beach waste over decade, contributing to healthier marine ecosystem for seals.

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Legal protection finally shields seals from hunting, with fisher-initiated culling banned in March 2021 after centuries of persecution.

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While some marine species face 90% population decline, grey seals demonstrate remarkable resilience through strategic conservation efforts.

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