Orford Ness seal colony thriving with ‘lack of human disturbance’

This winter’s breeding season, which began in November, has seen 80 pups already born with many more expected.

Since 2021, when the seals first arrived, their numbers have been steadily increasing.

The site is now home to about 400 seals, up from about 200 three years ago.

“We’re really lucky,” said Mr Wilson.

“It’s part of their natural movement of colonies anyway, so they’ve moved down, we think, from Lincolnshire and Norfolk colonies.

“They’ve formed a breakaway group, found this site and moved into the space we’ve got here.

“It’s a real privilege to have them on this site and a responsibility, too, for the team here.”