1 January 2016
The number of seals born at England's largest colony has dropped for the first time after nine years of growth.
The National Trust counted 2,342 pups born this season at Blakeney in Norfolk - about 80 fewer than last year.
Ajay Tegala, National Trust ranger, said: "This is good news as the seals were spreading at such a rate over such a big area that it makes it easier to protect them."
The Trust said the lower birth rate meant the colony had "stabilised".
After grey seals began colonising the spit on the north Norfolk coast, the Trust said there was anecdotal evidence of two pups being born in 1987 or 1988 and a first "official" record of five pups in 1999.
A more accurate standardised method of counting pups began in 2006 when 213 were recorded.
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