Seal Sanctuary worried about fate of seals

The Irish Seal Sanctuary has expressed fears over the possible extinction of the grey seal.

These fears come following a series of attacks in recent years, the most vicious of them during the week on the Blasket Islands, of the Dingle peninsula in Co Kerry.

Although grey seals are a protected species under the 1976 Wildlife Act, the animals’ survival has been threatened by inhumane acts of cruelty.

Rachael Whittome, of the Irish Seal Sanctuary, said Ireland's largest seal colony is in danger through depletion, and through the risk of the remaining seals leaving to join other colonies outside Irish waters.