Here baby seals which have been injured or accidentally separated from their mothers are brought back to health before being returned to the Lough. The Strangford area has large populations of both common and grey seals, Strangford Lough in fact has the largest colony of common seals in Ireland. Well-intentioned people occasionally add to the orphan seal problem. Finding an abandoned baby seal crying pitifully on a beach, the temptation is to take it to the nearest vet. Bad move, say the experts.
Mothers frequently leave baby on the beach while they go hunting.
They won't thank you for kidnapping little Sammy. Worst of all, when people touch the baby seal, they leave their scent on its fur. Confused by the unfamiliar smell, the mother seal may abandon her baby. If in doubt, don't touch. Contact the nearest vet or Coastguard station.