IN a timely reminder from the Pembrokeshire Coast Rangers, the public is being urged to take care around seal pups during their visits to the coast. The region is home to a population of Atlantic Grey seals, and it’s important to know that their pups aren’t born ready to swim.

These seal pups, known for their fluffy white or cream-coloured coats, are not quite as seaworthy as they might appear. The coat, referred to as lanugo, serves a crucial purpose in keeping the pups warm during their early days on land. However, this thick fur is not waterproof, meaning the pups don’t begin learning to swim until they shed it, which typically occurs at around 2-3 weeks old.

A recent series of photos shared by the Rangers illustrates this process. The first image shows a seal pup at just one day old, wrapped in its fluffy white lanugo. By the second image, taken at 15 days old, the pup’s transition is clear, with a smoother, mottled grey coat starting to emerge beneath the remaining white fur.

In contrast, the region’s Common seals, which give birth in June and July, have a different approach. Their pups are born with a brown coat, having already moulted in the womb. These pups are ready to swim almost immediately, often seen diving alongside their mothers within hours of birth. Unlike their Atlantic Grey counterparts, Common seals can breed in tidal areas, such as estuaries, where the young seals are quickly introduced to the water.

The Rangers have issued a firm plea to the public: If you spot a seal pup on the beach around the Pembrokeshire Coast, do not attempt to return it to the water. These young seals are often on land for a reason, and human interference could cause more harm than good.

As the coastline becomes busier with visitors, it’s crucial to remember that these pups are still learning the ropes of seal life. Giving them the space and time they need is essential for their survival.

ADULTS participating in an innovative learning course in Haverfordwest had a visit on Wednesday (Aug 21) from Angela Rayner MP, the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

PATH (Pembrokeshire Action for the Homeless) have been running the Numeracy Project this year following a successful application to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The Numeracy Project is aimed at adults aged 19+ who want to build confidence with numbers, improve employability, gain a qualification or simply manage their finances better to support their daily living. Many of these issues are leading causes of homelessness within Pembrokeshire.

The homelessness charity also provides mental health counselling and support workers at the sessions so that the learners get a complete wraparound service. Mrs Rayner called this an “incredible extra that people get” in addition to improving their maths skills.

The Deputy Prime Minister, who herself left education with no formal qualifications, spent a lot of time talking with the learners about how the project has not only improved their numeracy skills, but also benefited their mental health, social anxiety and loneliness.

“It’s not just the numeracy, but the social interaction, the confidence… you can see firsthand the incredible work that’s going on here,” she said in a discussion with PATH Managing Director, Michael Hooper.

“You can also see some of the structural problems here that we see across the whole of the UK, for example social housing.”

Mrs Rayner said that the housing situation has got “chronically worse” since PATH started in 1979 and this is a topic she was “keen to address” with the new Labour Government now in place.

One learner, Salastina Victor, spoke to Mrs Rayner about her challenges prior to joining the Numeracy Project and how she now runs her own successful business.

“To see the lady who went from domestic violence and not having numeracy skills, to running her own business and having the confidence that you can see there… it’s incredible that you can do that. Thank you you for all the work you do together,” Mrs Rayner said to the PATH team in a discussion after meeting the learners.

In total the project has received £550,000 but funding now runs out at the end of the year. With over 75 learners how signed up the project, with a total of 100 expected to be onboard by the end of the year, gaining extra funding is vital for the project to be able to continue.

PATH is currently going through a consultation process as it applies for future funding and require as much feedback as possible. You can fill in their survey here for a chance to win a £50 Tesco voucher and help shape the future of this vital service.

A MILFORD HAVEN resident has asked us to put out an appeal for a lost Mercedes key which also includes, on the same ring, a house key and an orange “BEST DAD” key ring which is of sentimental value.

The keys were recently lost in the Milford Haven area.

The photo on the key ring is as below. If you have seen it please contact The Pembrokeshire Herald via our Facebook Page.