DNA
samples have been taken from a pair of seals thought to be the first twins born
on the Farne Islands, off the Northumberland coast.
The
grey seal pups were spotted in October by National Trust ranger David Steel,
who had been monitoring a pregnant seal.
Multiple
births in grey seals are rare and no records existed of any having been born on
the islands before.
DNA
samples have now been taken by the Sea Mammal Research Unit.
Mr
Steel said: "Both are doing well and are close to independence.
'Huge
success'
"With
the help of the Sea Mammal Research Unit, a DNA sample has been taken from both
pups so we can prove without doubt that we do have a pair of grey seal twins -
the first ever wild documented occurrence.
Grey seals are
Britain's largest living carnivore
Britain
has 36% of the world population of grey seals around its shores
Pups
weigh 14kg (30.8lb) at birth but quickly gain the blubber they need because
their mother's milk contains 60% fat
Both
pups were male.
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