By Sandy Dubpernell | Central Puget Sound MMSN Volunteer Coordinator
July and August is harbor seal pup birthing season in Central Puget Sound. So far, our Stranding Network has received over 90 reports of “abandoned” seal pups on the beach. We employ various means to educate the public that these newborn pups have not been abandoned, merely left in a “safe place” by mom while she goes out to sea to feed. She will return to nurse her pup when there are no people around. Soon the pup will be strong enough to go out to sea with her.
Our volunteers on the beach post flyers, hand out brochures and advise people that keeping their distance and not disturbing the pup is its best chance for survival. Other volunteers man the phone and emails and answer questions posed by the reporting parties. Information is published in local newspapers and there is a complete “pup story” on our website.
Our islands attract many thousands of visitors each year from states with no ocean frontage, so educating these visitors about seal pups and all of our marine mammals is an ongoing project all year round.
Harbor seals (and all marine mammals) are protected by law under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Federal marine mammal regulations prohibit harassing seals to reduce human disturbance of important life processes. Don't Touch Seal Pups! The best thing you can do is to leave the animal alone it's best chance for survival is in the wild.
For more information about harbor seal pups in Washington State please read NOAA Fisheries excellent publication: "Share the Shore with Harbor Seal Pups".
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