A Cornish seal conservation charity is calling for support for its marine rangers.

Marine rangers for the Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust (CSGRT) find out as much as they can about our seals and their movements in a non-invasive way through photo identification.

In 20 years, the Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust has processed more than a million photos, resulting in more than 72,000 identifications.

Due to Covid-19, all fundraising events have been cancelled so to keep its conservation work running, the charity has launched a Crowdfunder appeal for £20,000.

Sue Sayer, founder and director of CSGRT said: "We have got off to a flying start with our patron, Gillian Burke from Springwatch, heading up our Crowdfunding appeal, but we need to keep up this great momentum.

"Cornwall’s precious marine environment needs your support now, so we can keep our marine rangers after August 2020."

Falmouth Packet:

Each seal’s fur pattern is unique and enables volunteers to track them for life.

Seals face many challenges, yet they are needed to balance our marine ecosystem, which is essential to make the oxygen we breathe.

Seals are also a globally rare wildlife tourist attraction, which helps to diversify coastal economic prosperity.

Read more: Love Island star becomes ambassador for seal sanctuary

Emily Pollitt is a marine ranger for CSGRT. She said: "Seals face many threats around our coast including climate change, chemical/pharmaceutical pollution, accidental bycatch, prey redistribution, microplastics, disturbance injuries and entanglement.

"We need your help to keep on telling their stories. The more people that help to protect our endangered seals, the more memories seals will continue to create for today’s children, their children and their children’s children."

Falmouth Packet:

CSGRT survey by boat 115km of Cornwall’s north coast

Last year CSGRT's marine rangers connected with more than 12,000 people at 159 events in the charity's pop-up marine centre.

This year, all such events have been cancelled due to Covid-19, resulting in a £50,000 shortfall.

The Crowdfunder appeal aims to raise £20,000 to fund the marine ranger programme.

To donate, visit crowdfunder.co.uk/protect-endangered-seals-by-funding-marine-rangers.