On Thursday, May 21, a seal pup was discovered on the Grayland beach, a sure sign that there are many more all along our shoreline this time of year. According to Marc Mursell, co-owner/operator of the Westport Aquarium, who, along with his wife Kathryn, are the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network responders on the South Beach, “This animal appeared to be quite healthy and was just hanging out waiting for mom to come and pick him up for nursing.”
May through July is the time of year when walkers will come upon baby harbor seals on the beach. It is not uncommon for pups to be born near populated areas and also not uncommon for them to be left on the beach for one or two days at a time.
Mothers feeding
Seal pups on the beach don’t mean that they have been abandoned or are helpless. They may look forlorn, but chances are that look can be attributed to the fact that they are hungry. A mother seal will leave her pup on the beach while she forages for food and the baby will be well fed when mom returns.
Nursing pups remain with their mothers for four to six weeks, when they are weaned to hunt for food and survive on their own. During the weaning process, pups will haul-out in the same location for many days and even weeks, spending hours onshore resting.
Human scent deadly
Well-meaning humans who move or try to care for pups guarantee that their mothers will abandon them because they will not approach their offspring if human scent is on them. Young pups have not yet developed their natural escape response, so the responsibility for leaving them alone belongs to the humans who encounter them.
Interaction illegal
Do not touch baby seals on the beach! Even touching a marine mammal could result in a heavy fine or even imprisonment under the provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. The law prohibits detaining, capturing or killing any marine mammal. Even touching or removing parts of dead mammals is prohibited.
Report injured marine mammals
If you see what appears to be an injured seal pup or other marine mammal on the beach, call the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network hotline at 1-866-767-6114. The operator will collect your information and those that cover the area where you made the sighting will get in touch with you if they need more information.
Remember, keep your distance and look - but don’t touch.