The Marine Mammal Center Needs the Publics Help in Safeguarding Harbor Seal Pups

In 2003, over 43% of harbor seal pups rescued by The Sausalito, California based Marine Mammal were harassed by humans. Between late February and early May female Pacific harbor seals will give birth to their pups up and down the Northern Californai coast. Many become stranded or separated from their mothers. Many more are illegally picked up by humans. The Marine Mammal Center asks for the publics help in protecting these animals by not disturbing or harassing them. Instead, call The Center's 24-hour rescue hotline at (415)289-SEAL, if you see a marine mammal in need of help.

SAUSALITO, CA (PRWEB) February 27, 2004 --Spring is in the air, and in Northern California that means for the next few months, female Pacific harbor seals will give birth to their pups. These beautiful animals are irresistible to look at, especially to residents and site-seers in and around the Pt. Reyes National Seashore, Bolinas, Richmond, Sausalito and Pescadero areas. Unfortunately, good-intentioned people may see a harbor seal pup on a beach and be tempted to coax it back into the water, touch it, or worse, pick it up, thinking that it needs their help. This does more harm than good. Seals are easily stressed by humans. Further, a young pups best chance for survival is to remain with its mother. The Marine Mammal Center asks for the publics help in protecting these animals by not disturbing or harassing them.

The best thing you can do when you come across a harbor seal pup, or any marine mammal you think is in need of help, is to call our rescue hotline at 415.289.SEAL," said Kathy Zagzebski, stranding manager for The Marine Mammal Center. Once we receive the call, well dispatch volunteers to assess the animal. In the case of harbor seal pups, we often monitor the animal for at least 24 hours to see if it needs our help or if its just waiting for its mom to return."

After giving birth, harbor seal mothers will leave their pups on beaches and rocks in order to hunt for fish offshore. Sadly, in too many cases the females returned to find their pups gone. Last year, 43% percent of harbor seal pups rescued by The Marine Mammal Center were either harassed or illegally picked up by humans. Thats nearly double the number of similar interventions The Center completed in 2002. Under the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, it is a crime to harass or injure marine mammals; to do so is punishable with heavy monetary fines.

What to do if you come across a harbor seal on a beach:
- Stay back at least 50 feet from it. Its mother may be just around the corner.
- Keep other people and dogs away.
- Call The Marine Mammal Centers 24-hour hotline at 415.289.SEAL.

The Marine Mammal Center is a non-profit hospital dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of wild marine mammals that are ill, injured or orphaned, along 600 miles of northern and central California coastline. Since 1975, The Center has worked with over 10,000 California sea lions, elephant seals, sea otters and other marine life. It uniquely combines its rehabilitation program with scientific discovery and education programs throughout the Bay Area and the world, to advance the understanding of marine mammal health and ocean health, and to promote conservation.