Interested In SRI’s Research?
Dead Seal Reporting
SRI keeps records of dead seals found and reported from across Ireland. Reports of dead seals provide us with invaluable data to gain insight into our wild populations and identify unusual cases or problematic areas. Each year we submit this data to the National Parks and Wildlife Service and keep them up to date on any unusual cases.
To report a dead seal please click on the button below or contact us on our 24/7 Rescue Hotline 087 195 5393, and we will take all the necessary details from you. Please provide as much information as possible so we can keep our database as accurate as possible. Any details, no matter how minor can make a difference!

European Tagged Seal Network
Get involved with our Citizen Science Program!
We’re eager to collect data on seals sighted around the coast of Ireland. Specifically, we’re interested in sightings of tagged, entangled or deceased seals, with clear photographs and details regarding their exact location (beach name, county, etc.) and any other relevant information, sent via email to: research@sealrescueireland.org
Specifics of what we’re looking for:

1. Tagged Seals
Those with ID tags on their hind flippers are used by numerous seal rehabilitation centres around Europe to help us keep track of individuals who have received care and been released. Photos should be taken of the tag ideally with the number visible, but as this isn’t always possible, at least documenting the colour of the tag and which flipper it’s on (left for male or right for female). General pictures of the seal’s face and body should also be taken.

2. Entangled Seals

3. Deceased Seals
Whilst collecting data on seals is important for their conservation, we ask that you remain at a safe and respectful distance whilst doing so and avoid causing undue stress to these wild animals.
Detection of blaOXA-1, blaTEM-1, and Virulence Factors in E. coli Isolated From Seals
Ana P. Vale, Lynae Shubin, Juliana Cummins, Finola C. Leonard and Gerald Barry
A GIS-based spatial and temporal predictive model of grey seal pup stranding risk and variable identification
Kellie Heney (NUI Galway)
Common Seal Stress Analysis Using Heart Rate Monitor
Bronwyn Jeffers ( University of York)
Summary:
- Applying HR monitor causes minimal stress with maximum result.
- Different feeding methods cause different levels of stress.
- Drain covers cause distress measures taken to reduce noise around kennels and ICU.
Wild Seal Identification Project with Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust
Summary
“Photo ID is one of the most powerful research tools for studying seals. It is a non-invasive technique revealing information about lots of different aspects of their biology and ecology and ultimately enabling the life stories of individual seals to be built up over time.”- CSRGT
We add all our seals to a seasonal identification catalogue, which increases the probability of them being identified if they are spotted around the UK or Ireland. CSGRT have so far spotted one of our pups with a blue flipper tag, we look forward to developing our wild seal identification programme in the near future.

Microplastics in Diet of Rehabilitation Seals
Grainne Keogh
Summary
“This study investigates the presence of microplastics in common seal (Phoca vitulina) scat collected from Seal Rescue Ireland and the presence of microplastics in the herring (Clupea herengus) fed to these seals to investigate the relationship between microplastics in the two species and their transfer across trophic levels. The scat samples were sieved and then chemically digested using potassium hydroxide to eliminate any biological material; similarly, the herring gastrointestinal tracts were digested. The microplastics present were described, measured and quantified. Thirty-one of the 40 (77.5%) scat samples investigated contained at least one microplastic, with a total of 66 microplastics identified. 100% of the herring sampled (n=9) contained microplastics, with 73 microplastics identified. Microplastic fibres were more common than fragments, while a total of six colours of microplastics were identified. There was no statistical difference in the median length of microplastics found in the scat and herring samples. The findings suggest that trophic transfer is a potential pathway of microplastic ingestion in common seals but further studies are needed to confirm this.” – G. Keogh
Photo credit: Gerhard Horn
Research previously conducted at SRI:
- Endocrine response to stress in captivity – Michael Zatrak et al.
- Common seal analysis of successful rehabilitation procedures -Inês Costa
- Common seal analysis of stranding events and weather – Rhianna Kay
- What can rehab seals tell us about wild seal populations? – Lauren Himmelreich
- Investigating rehabilitation time for seals of various ailments – Alison Butterworth
