Seal numbers on the rise

THE number of seals seen in Solent waters is increasing, according to a new survey.

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust counted 49 harbour seals – including seven pups – in the Solent region.

The statistics, part of the WIldlife Trust’s Secrets of the Solent project, go against the national trend, where the number of seals in harbours appears to be decreasing.

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Rayner Piper from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust said: ‘We know now that our Solent seals seem to be slowly increasing in numbers, which is great news as elsewhere in the UK, harbour seal populations are in steep decline – and we are looking forward to next year’s survey.’