Q. I keep seeing seals basking on the beach near my house. But sometimes I’ll just see one kinda on its own. Should I be worried when they’re all alone like that?
It is in our nature to want to help and that is often the case when people see a seal by itself on shore. However, it is important to remember that seals haul themselves onto shore for a number of reasons and usually do not require our assistance. Perhaps it’s to bask in the sun, take a rest, or maybe they’re moulting. They may stay on shore for only a couple of hours or could be as long as a day or two. A pup may also be alone on shore if its mother is off searching for food.
In most cases, the best thing you can do is:
⦁ Leave the seal alone. Keep a distance of at least 50 metres (about the length of 3.5 school buses) not only for your safety but also to avoid disturbing the seal.
⦁ If you have a dog, make sure it is on a leash
In fact, under the Marine Mammal Regulations it is illegal to feed, touch, interact or move a marine mammal without the proper licence from Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
As this is normal behaviour for seals, most of the time, you do not need to report when you see one on the shore. There are, however, situations when a seal could need our help. If you come across a seal with any of the following conditions, remember to keep your distance and please report it to your local emergency response organization:
⦁ Is wounded/has blood on it
⦁ Is entangled
⦁ Is shaking
⦁ Has discharge around its eyes or nose
⦁ Looks thin – a healthy seal should not have a visible neck, should be plump and should not have any rolls
You can even become part of The Watch – a CMARA program that is free to join and provides you with the information you need for a marine animal emergency.
