Biggest loss of seal pups on IoM's Calf of Man recorded

48% of seal pups on the Calf of Man at the south of the IoM have been lost after Ophelia hit. Credit: Manx Wildlife Trust

Seal pups on the Isle of Man's Calf of Man have perished significantly after ex-hurricane Ophelia hit earlier this week.

The Manx Wildlife Trust said that 48% of the pups have been lost.

Volunteers currently taking part in the annual seal surveys reported there were 42 pups on the Calf - there are now just 23.

The Trust's Lara Howe told Granada Reports, “We are estimating that we have lost up to 48% of our seal pups from the Calf. It’s the worse morality rate seen on the Calf since the surveys began in 2009.”