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The main breeding season of gray seals has already passed. Seal mothers still have some pups that are not weaned yet, so the seal bulls keep watch on the beach since shortly after the end of suckling the females come in heat.

 

About 120 seal pups were born this year on the Innarahu islet. As we know the childhood of pups born on the ice is more secure, and in a dense population of course diseases spread much easier. About 10% of this year’s pups died and it is considered a good result. On giving birth on ice the % is halved.

 

 

A few seal pups are on the shore, some in the water supervised by the watchful eyes of the mothers. The bulls, in dark coats, roll around on the shore. They will certainly be in camera view for a couple of weeks more. In mid-April the seals start moulting.