found a seal pup
DON'T BE A PUP NAPPER!
Photo by Mollie Cameron
Seal mothers may leave their babies safely on a beach, rocks or dock while she goes off to forage.
Photo: Christine Gorchinsky
She may only return for brief infrequent visits to feed baby.
She will NOT return until she feels it is safe to do so. If you are concerned about a seal pup, please watch from a distance.
Photo: Christine Gorchinsky
Please keep people and pets away from the area to allow mom to come back.
Please DO NOT assume seal pups are orphaned or in need of rescuing unless there is obvious sign of injury or distress or if they are in immediate danger.
DO NOT attempt to handle, “rescue” or take a selfie with seal pups.
Contact the professionals!
REACH OUT TO MARINE MAMMAL RESCUE FOR ALL SEAL CONCERNS
TEL: 604 - 258 - SEAL
Photo: Josh DeLeenheer
It's prohibited to feed marine mammals under Section 7 of the Marine Mammal Regulations.
Not only is it illegal to feed them, but it's also forbidden to interact with, entice, or cause them to move. This includes actions like luring seals onto docks or encouraging them to jump.
Even discarding fish waste near marine mammals can contribute to indirect feeding, which may lead to undesirable behaviors, impacting their natural habits.
Have you witnessed any prohibited behaviors? If so, please report it!
Call the DFO Observe, Record, and Report hotline at 1-800-465-4336
Or email: DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca