Emden, Germany, June 2, (dpa/GNA) – Weather conditions on Wednesday – sunny weather and clear skies – were perfect for kicking off the annual count of seals in Germany’s Wadden Sea National Park from above.
Two planes took off for the first of a total of 15 flights planned through mid-August aimed at counting the seals as part of an international conservation agreement between Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands.
The sunny weather means the seals will settle down to bask in the sun on sandbars at low tide, making them easier to count, said officials.
Volunteers were along for the ride along the North Sea coast to help scientists get an overview of the protected animals’ numbers and health. Last year, more seals were counted than ever before: There were more than 10,382 seals sighted between the Ems and Elbe rivers.
GNA