Study highlights key welfare needs for seal pups in rehabilitation

Study highlights key welfare needs for seal pups in rehabilitation Lisa Lock Scientific Editor Andrew Zinin Lead Editor A new study examining harbor and gray seal pups undergoing rehabilitation in the U.S. has identified important steps that could improve animal welfare during their recovery. Researchers from the University of Chester and Manchester Metropolitan University monitored 25 seal pups admitted to Tynemouth Seal Hospital after becoming stranded due to reasons such as malnourishment, injury, or abandonment, all common consequences of environmental and human related pressures around the U.K. and Ireland. The study entitled "Behavioural and fecal cortisol metabolite monitoring of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) and grey seal pups (Halichoerus grypus) in rehabilitation centres," by Dr. Michal Zatrak, Senior Technical Officer and Dr. Matt Geary, Associate Professor in Conservation Biology at the University of Chester's School of Natural Sciences, in collaboration with Dr. Robyn A Grant and Dr. Kirsty J Shaw from Manchester Metropolitan University and Richard Ilderton from Tynemouth Seal Hospital, has been published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science. The team collected 479 fecal samples and more than 3,800 hours of behavioral footage to assess how different aspects of rehabilitation affected the pups' stress and well-being. The study found that fecal cortisol metabolites (FCMs), often used as a non-invasive stress indicator, did not reliably reflect changes in the pups' condition or daily experiences. The researchers suggest this may be due to individual variation, accumulated stress before rescue, and the limited sensitivity of FCMs to short-term stressors. As a result, the study concludes that FCMs are not always an effective welfare monitoring tool for rehabilitating seal pups. In contrast, behavior proved to be a strong indicator of welfare. Feeding methods and access to water significantly influenced how the pups behaved. Assisted feeding, essential for very young or weak pups, was linked to reduced vigilance in both species and in gray seals, an increase in stereotypical behaviors alongside reduced movement. The findings highlight the need for environmental enrichment, such as floating structures or feeding devices, to counteract these effects. The study also emphasizes the importance of providing water access as early as possible. Swimming opportunities support the development of natural behaviors and may improve overall welfare during rehabilitation. Researchers found that the results can help refine welfare assessments and improve rehabilitation protocols for both harbor and gray seal pups, ultimately supporting healthier releases back into the wild. Zatrak said, "Rescue centers provide such incredible care for vulnerable seals and it is important to see if any improvements can be made to optimize their outcomes. We hope this study will help both the seals and the people committed to their welfare." Geary added, "We would like to thank all the staff and volunteers at the Tynemouth Seal Hospital and the British Divers Marine Life Rescue for their support in facilitating this research and for their dedication to seal rescue and welfare." Publication details Michal Zatrak et al, Behavioural and faecal cortisol metabolite monitoring of harbour (Phoca vitulina) and grey seal pups (Halichoerus grypus) in rehabilitation centres, Applied Animal Behaviour Science (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2026.106910 Journal information: Applied Animal Behaviour Science Provided by University of Chester