Share the Shore with Seal Pups
During the fall months in Puget Sound, you may see a seal pup while walking on the beach. Seal pups regularly come to shore for several hours a day to sleep, regulate their body temperature and socialize. Young pups don’t know how to protect themselves and are extremely vulnerable. It is completely natural for these seals to be present and we need to remember a few key points to “Share the Shore” with these fascinating creatures.
Viewer Tip: The Port Townsend Marine Science Center reminds you to:
- Keep your distance. Stay at least 100 yards away. If you want to see the animals close up, use binoculars or a spotting scope.
- Do not touch a seal pup. These pups are resting and need to be left alone. The mother seal will not return to her pup while people are near.
- Keep pets away and on a leash. Dogs can be quite interested in their surroundings, but an aggressive older seal could bite a curious dog. Also, some seals carry diseases that can be transferred to dogs and humans.
- Alert your neighbors. If you see a seal pup on the shore, inform your neighbors and remind them to keep dogs away.
- Call your local Marine Mammal Stranding Network. If a seal pup has been left alone for 48 hours or appears injured, call the Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline at 1-800-583-1964 to report.
This information is provided by the Port Townsend Marine Science Center. Learn more: www.ptmsc.org.
(Source: NOAA marine mammal Stranding Network
http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/Marine-Mammals/Stranding-Information.cfm)
