Sustainable Futures
Teesside University collaborated with BDMLR, Defra, and CSIP to conduct a comprehensive study on the health of seal populations across the UK. The project focused on identifying and understanding diseases affecting seals, including new conditions like "mouth rot" in Harbour Seal pups, to improve conservation and treatment practices.
Seals are vital to marine ecosystems, but their health can be compromised by various diseases. A lack of detailed data on these diseases made it difficult to develop effective treatment and conservation strategies. The challenge was to collect and analyse data on seal health to inform better management practices.
The research team used a range of techniques to study diseases in seals, including sampling and genetic analysis. They investigated new and existing conditions affecting seals, using advanced methods to identify pathogens and understand their effects. This included studying how diseases spread and their impact on seal populations.
The research improved the understanding of seal health and contributed to the development of new guidelines for seal management and disease treatment. By providing detailed data on seal diseases, the study helped enhance conservation efforts and ensure better health outcomes for seals. The findings supported national conservation policies and improved the welfare of seal populations across the UK.
