Friends of the Horsey Seals

Founded in 2011, Friends of Horsey Seals (FoHS) emerged from the efforts of local volunteers who stepped in to continue a seal protection initiative originally launched by Natural England and the Broads Authority in 2003. When funding for the original project dried up, key figures like Peter Ansell and Albert Ward took the reins, transforming the grassroots movement into a formal organization dedicated to safeguarding the growing grey seal colony along the Norfolk coast.

FoHS quickly expanded the volunteer warden program, introducing formal training and a structured approach to managing public interaction with seals, especially during the critical pupping season from November to February. Their efforts proved transformative: the number of seal births at Horsey Beach rose from under 100 to over 2,500 annually, turning the site into both a conservation success story and a popular wildlife viewing destination.

Today, the organization operates a seven-day-a-week rescue team trained by the RSPCA, responding to seals injured by marine litter, dog attacks, or human disturbance. They also campaign against harmful beach toys like flying rings and work closely with landowners, local authorities, and the public to ensure the seals’ habitat remains safe and undisturbed.

FoHS continues to thrive thanks to community support, donations, and a growing network of volunteers. Their work not only protects one of the UK’s largest grey seal colonies but also fosters public appreciation and understanding of these remarkable animals.