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Gray seals on the rise: populations in the Wadden Sea are increasing rapidly!
The increase in gray seals in the Wadden Sea shows the success of nature conservation, as experts reported on July 1, 2025.
Gray seals on the rise: populations in the Wadden Sea are increasing rapidly!
In recent years there has been good news for all nature lovers and animal lovers: the number of gray seals in the Wadden Sea, which stretches across Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands, has continued to increase. According to that Deutschlandfunk The population of gray seals in these regions is increasing by almost 10 percent every year. This is evidence of the successful protection of the Wadden Sea National Park.
More than a century ago, gray seals were almost wiped out due to intensive hunting. The return of these majestic animals only began in the second half of the 20th century, when they returned to the Wadden Sea from British waters. Experts consider the positive development of the gray seal population to be extremely encouraging, as it indicates the success of the protective measures in this unique natural landscape.
Growth of stocks
The latest counts, carried out by a trilateral group of experts, show that gray seal numbers have changed significantly over the past five years. The number of young animals grew by an impressive 13 percent annually. A total of 10,544 gray seals were documented in the last count, an increase of 18 percent compared to the previous year. Particularly noteworthy is the increase in adult gray seals, whose numbers rose by 12 percent during the shedding period. These values come from the counts from November 2022 to January 2023 as well as from March and April 2023, which were carried out in the underwater world of the Wadden Sea and on Helgoland ( Wadden Sea World Heritage Site ).
Protective measures and international cooperation
The successes in gray seal management are primarily due to the international cooperation between the three countries. Since 1978, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands have been working together to protect the Wadden Sea, which is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site ( WWF ). This cooperation has not only helped gray seal populations, but has also resulted in halting diking and protecting habitat for many other species, including waterfowl. The positive development is a strong argument for the preservation of this attractive region, where not only gray seals but also many other species thrive.
However, despite this progress, there are also challenges. Threats such as rising sea levels and unsustainable fishing remain present. As Denmark and Germany make intensive efforts to protect the Wadden Sea, it is important to remain vigilant to preserve the diversity and balance of these unique ecosystems. The continued increase in gray seals is a step in the right direction and a clear indication that conservation efforts are worthwhile.