Since 2002, the Hel Marine Station of the Institute of Oceanography, Faculty of Biology, Geography and Oceanology, University of Gdansk, has been managing a project on reintroducing of grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) at its seal research, breeding and rehabilitation centre situated in the locality of Hel, at the southern coastal zone of the Baltic Sea. The project consists in managing the conservation, research and educational activities, including also releases of young animals born in the Hel Seal Centre into their natural environment. The aim of this project is to restore the local colonies of Halichoerus grypus (grey seal) species which in the past was very abundant at the Polish coastal zone. Moreover, the Hel Marine Station manages rehabilitation of ill animals being found on beaches at sea-shore in Poland that further also undergo release into their natural environment.

This year, a subsequent group of young seals were released into natural environment under the project in question. Those were 3 calves born in this March at the Hel Seal Centre, and were named Hel, Hela and Hydra and two young males - Kacper and Zenek - that were born in wilderness.

Besides the identification marks frozen on their sides, and electronic chips implanted under skin at their tail base part, all young seals have been also provided with satellite transmitters. Signals received therefrom are used for collection of data on geographical positioning of the animals as well as for decision-making purpose to establish possible new conservation refuges for the animals.

The migration routes of .our. seals over the Baltic Sea could be watched at the website of the Marine Station Hel Seal Centre www.fokarium.pl where currently updated map is shown in folder titled "Watch Our Seals" (Polish: Śledzimy nasze foki).

For more detailed information go to: http://hel.hel.univ.gda.pl/aktu/lastminut/wypfok2008.htm