#WildlifeResearch

A new line of research draws a surprising link between the reproductive health of seals and human fertility. Scientists are studying seals, distant from clinics, to understand why fertility may be declining across species. Research highlights the role of environmental pollutants and the hormones they disrupt, which can affect reproduction in wildlife and humans alike.

For Thailand, where birth rates are falling and families face growing demographic pressures, these findings offer a global context for local policy and health strategies. Understanding how chemicals in the environment influence fertility can guide practical actions at home, in communities, and in government programs.

Recent research is drawing unexpected parallels between the reproductive lives of seals and the challenges facing human fertility, sparking fresh conversations about the hidden environmental factors impacting reproductive health worldwide. As reported in a feature by Oceanographic Magazine, scientists are turning their attention to seals — charismatic marine mammals that live far from hospitals and clinics — in hopes of unraveling why fertility rates are declining across species, including humans (Oceanographic Magazine).