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By Animals - For Animals
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Seals on the beach
What to do if you see a seal on the beach

There has been an increase of seal pups being ‘rescued’ on UK beaches. Although each ‘rescue’ has been well meant, there needs to be a lot more education around interrupting wildlife and nature.

Seals usually have their young between October and January. Around 4 weeks later the pups start to be weaned and will start to learn to look after themselves. It is during this time that there are the most reports of ‘abandoned’ pups. As the mother is either feeding nearby or the pup is recently weaned and still comes ashore to rest.

You find a seal on the beach, what should you do?
First and most importantly, do not go near or disturb or allow dogs to go near the seals as they will bite. Seals also naturally carry lungworm which can be fatal to dogs.<b
r/> Seals can bite, even young ones. Also getting your scent on seals can cause the mother to reject and abandon the seal before it is ready to look after itself.
You could frighten a seal and make it panic and hurt itself getting away. Also if it is a young pup with its fuzzy fur that keeps it warm.... It will not be able to swim yet and chasing it into the water will possibly cause it to drown.

Generally disturbing areas where seals lie could cause them to abandon that area and reduce their natural habitat. Which will be bad for future generations of seals but also deadly for seal pups hiding around the area waiting for their mothers to return.

You think a seal is injured or sick, what should do you do?
There are a few times in a seal’s life they will be healthy but not look their best. They could be in the middle of losing their fuzzy pup fur, which could give a very shabby and bedraggled appearance. Adults or newly weaned seals could have been out in a storm and just need time to rest or recover.

Possibly not everyone will have seen a seal in real life, so judging if one is sick or healthy could be difficult. Just because you have never seen them there, does not mean they are not normally there.

But I really think something is wrong, what should I do?
You need to resist the urge to go into full rescue mode and do some basic things that will definitely help the seal.

1 Keep all humans and animals away from the area.

2 Make a note, or even take pictures, if it can be done without disturbing the seal, that will give a point of reference of where the seal is.

3. If you are concerned about the seal’s welfare contact the following agencies that have experience in dealing with seals and will be able to give you the correct advice.

BDMLR RESCUE HOTLINE:
01825 765546 (24hr)

RSPCA hotline (England & Wales): 0300 1234 999

SSPCA hotline (Scotland): 
03000 999 999