Recent counts indicate that the seal population in the Wadden Sea has increased to 23,700, a 5% rise from last year. However, this figure remains lower than counts from 2012 to 2020, raising concerns about a long-term decline. Research shows fewer seals now live in the area compared to ten years ago, with alarming decreases in pup births. While Denmark and the Netherlands saw population drops, Germany reported increases in certain regions. The causes of this decline remain uncertain, leading to calls for further research to develop effective conservation strategies.