Populations of harbour seals in Orkney and Shetland have suffered an as yet unexplained decline of about 40% over the past five years, according to new research carried out by the Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St Andrews.
University of St Andrews scientists have been chosen to showcase their research at a Buckingham Palace 'Science Day'.
PICTURE CREDIT: Dr Vincent Janik.
The Sea Mammal Research Unit at the University of St Andrews has been awarded £381,000 by the Government's Public Sector Research Exploitation (PSRE) initiative to develop new commercial applications for its ground-breaking studies of marine mammals.
* Caption - ringed seal spotted late last year *
The University of St Andrews Sea Mammal Research Unit will showcase some of its most exciting and cutting-edge research next week at a prestigious event highlighting the best of British science.
Ships and aircraft will take to European waters next month as part of the largest ever international survey of whales, dolphins and porpoises.
Marine biologists are to launch a new study into ways of protecting two protected species in Scotland - one of which feeds on the other.
PIC CAPTION: l-r Iain Smith, Professor Ian Boyd, Jim Wallace, Lucy Hunter, Dr Brian Lang at the University today.