Leave those seal pups alone!

Seal pupping season is here and the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network (WMMSN) wants everyone to remember that 100 yards away is the law.

Harbor seals in our area have one pup a year in the summer months. “Mortality can be high for the pups, especially if there is human interaction involved,” said Victoria Souze, principal investigator with WMMSN.

Mother seals leave their pups on shore while they go foraging. If people surround the pup, the mother sees this from the water and she will not come to shore. This leads to pups being abandoned and, if left on the beach long enough, a slow death.

“We try to monitor these pups in high traffic areas, and occasionally will use a non-toxic green livestock paint so we can keep track of a specific pup that we have been seal sitting,” Souze said. “Yes, we seal sit.”

With trained volunteer seal-sitters keeping humans and pets away, it gives the mom and pup a chance to reunite.

“Seal pups belong in the wild, and this is what we want to achieve when we find a pup being harassed by people,” Souze said. “If we can keep people away from the pup, mom will often return. Then there is a happy ending.”

Help WMMSN by calling 360/966-8845 if you see a pup being harassed. Harassment can be any human interaction within 100 yards of the pup.