New efforts to raise Louth seal awareness

Louth’s beaches and Carlingford Lough are home to a vital seal population, but human disturbance is putting them at risk, especially during pupping season. To help protect them, efforts are underway to raise awareness, with plans for new signage and educational talks in local schools.

Sinn Féin Councillor Fiona Mhic Conchoille has requested at this month’s Council that more awareness is created around seals and seal pups along the beaches in Louth and Carlingford Lough.

Cllr Mhic Conchoille explained: “Seal Rescue Ireland is only one of two seal rescue centres in Ireland (the other being Exploris in Portaferry, County Down) and covers the 26 counties operating solely on fundraising, donations and sponsorship.

Government grants cover a mere 5% of their operating costs. Last year alone they rescued over 170 seals and pups.”
Cllr Mhic Conchoille said: “We had three seal pups rescued in this area last year, the coast of the Cooley peninsula is an important habitat for common seals and they pup during the summer months so it is a vulnerable time for them.

“When people see a sick seal or pup their instinct is to help but unfortunately it is not that easy. Many of the pups were in need of rescue because of human disturbance and activity.”

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To educate locals and visitors to Louth, Cllr Mhic Conchoille is requesting that signage be erected to raise awareness and help protect our seal population. This will be done in conjunction with Seal Rescue Ireland and Cllr Mhic Conchoille has organised a speaker to talk to local Primary Schools in the coming weeks to further increase awareness.

“I welcome the positive response from Louth County Council who have already commenced communication with the National Parks and Wildlife Service about this proposal and look forward to seeing it developed.”

There are 6 basic rules when you come across a seal or a pup:
Keep a 100m distance – disturbance may lead to mothers abandoning pups
Don’t attempt to feed them
Don’t touch seals – they are wild animals and will bite
Don’t put the seal back in the water, they are on land for a reason
Keep dogs away, they may injure or pass diseases to each other
Call Seal Rescue immediately