It's Pupping Season: Give Seals Their Space


June 17, 2008 · Updated 12:09 PM 

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Once again it's harbor seal pupping season in the islands, and a sensitive time for harbor seal moms and their pups. From now until mid-August offshore rocks will be home to these moms and their pups. Any disturbance could result in harm or death to these animals, especially the pups.

To help give them a fighting chance, the San Juan County Marine Mammal Stranding Network provides the following information: Whether in a boat or on foot, avoid areas where seals rest. Do not approach within 300 feet. Scaring seals off rocks can separate moms and pups. Approaching them is enough to scare these animals into the water. Lone pups will not survive; they will slowly starve to death. If you find a lone pup or a dead, injured, or sick marine mammal, call The Whale Museum Hotline: 1-800-562-8832. Do not touch or try to move the animal, do not try to get it back into the water, and don't feed it. Keep people and dogs away. Federal law prohibits the public from touching, feeding, harassing, or hurting marine mammals.

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