Public urged to report unusual interactions between seals and other marine animals 

A strange encounter between a seal and dolphin in Howth, on January 9. Picture: Dave O’Connor

The public is being urged to report any unusual interactions between potentially amorous seals sizing up other mammals, such as dolphins, porpoises, and even penguins for some loving — or possibly fighting.

It follows reports of potential attempts by seals to mate with members of different marine mammal groups, or simply that the seals were looking for a fight.

The interactions in Ireland so far are baffling dolphin watchers here, including one Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) member who witnessed a seal pull a common dolphin under the water after a struggle last week.

While rare in Ireland, it is not unknown for seals elsewhere in the world to try to mate with other mammals outside their marine group, including even penguins.

It usually happens when there is a shortage of female seals, or cows, or the juvenile or subadult male seal wants to "practice" mating.

The incident witnessed by the IWDG member happened a day after the carcass of a common dolphin was found in the same area.

The IWDG appeal also comes at a time when common dolphins are currently making their seasonal appearances in and around Cork Harbour.

This has included a pod of dolphins coming as far up into the city near the North Mall of the River Lee last weekend.

On at least one occasion, a seal has also been spotted near the dolphins.

The group’s sightings officer Pádraig Whooley told the Irish Examiner: “If anybody sees an interaction that seems to be an aggressive interaction between seals and porpoises or dolphins would absolutely like to hear from them.

What the seals are doing is anybody’s guess. All we can do is put the question out there and see what comes up and keep gathering the evidence.

In the latest incident, IWDG member Dave O’Connor photographed a common dolphin being attacked by a seal off the top eastern side of Howth, known as the Nose of Howth.

Speaking of the latest incident at Howth Head, Mr Whooley wrote on the IWDG website: “Was it a predatory attack or just robust play behaviour by an over-enthusiastic grey seal?

“However, I’m left considering a third option; could this have been a rather inappropriate romantic embrace, referred to as “coercive copulation”?

“Surely grey seals are smart enough to know that mating outside of one’s species just takes you down a biological cul-de-sac.

“But it may help shine some light on the Skerries incident in March 2024 involving the same two species.”