A novel Body Condition Scoring (BCS) system for harbour seals

Student Spotlight - Anna McMillan

Following on from my undergraduate degree in Animal Behaviour, I studied for my Masters in Zoo Conservation Biology at Manchester Metropolitan University. It was here that I began my current project on harbour seals under Dr Robyn Grant.

I have always had a keen interest in applied animal science with a focus on animal welfare; I wanted to create something with real-world applications that could directly contribute to both the survival and quality of life of individual seals, as well as their broader conservation through rehabilitation success.

Harbour seals (Phoca vitulina), a charismatic British marine mammal found along our coastlines, are often overlooked when conservation is concerned as they are considered “Least Concern” by the IUCN Red List. Despite this, they face numerous threats—including human disturbance and harassment, pollution, habitat destruction, and, notably, the significant population declines caused by the phocine distemper epidemics in the 1980s and 90s. As a result, hundreds of seals are brought into rehabilitation centres each year.

This project aimed to support the vital work of marine rescue centres, such as Tynemouth Seal Rescue, by developing a novel, scientifically tested tool to assist staff and volunteers in the care and rehabilitation of these remarkable animals.

See my research poster below:

View Anna’s research poster here.