January 21, 2020 9.11 am This story is over 50 months old

Donna Nook celebrates record year with 2,200 seal pups

They are now looking for volunteers for the 2020 season

Donna Nook is celebrating another record-breaking year which saw 2,187 seal pups born, a 5.8% increase from the year before.

Lincolnshire’s Wildlife Trust dedicated the success to the hard work of wardens, volunteers, and visitors staying in the viewing area.

Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter

Unlike other seal colonies across the UK that have mortality rates of up to 50%, Donna Nook has just a 6.6% mortality rate.

Extensive sand dunes, distance from the sea and the erection of a fence at the viewing area have all helped bring mortality rates down.

Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter

The seal colony saw a drop in visitors from 60,779 to 59,778 compared to the year before, although that has been blamed on the car park flooding.

A seal was spotted chewing on a bottle this year, prompting fears about the impact of visitors at the site.

The cute seal pup chewing on a bottle. Photo: Dan Thurling

Donna Nook’s seal warden said: “We’d like to thank our team of hard-working volunteers who have helped with another busy seal season.

“Without their hours of support, running a popular nature reserve just wouldn’t be possible.

“Their support means we can better cope with visitor numbers, and help to keep an eye on any abandoned pups which may need our help.”

Donna Nook is looking for new volunteers for the 2020 season. Find out more information by sending an email to [email protected].