A day at the beach just got a whole lot cuter.
It’s pupping season on the Pacific Coast, which means you might spot a baby harbor seal pup on the sand, in the water or tucked into a rocky alcove.
Seal pups are typically born from spring to summer in Oregon and Washington, according to the Seaside Aquarium. Mother seals often deposit the pups onshore while they go hunting, which leads some humans to mistakenly think they’ve been abandoned.
It may be tempting to approach or play with a baby seal, but the aquarium cautioned against doing either. Wildlife experts say people should observe from a distance and refrain from touching the animals, according to the aquarium, as the mother seals may not return to collect their young if they think a human is too close by.
Harbor seal pups often use their time on land to regulate their temperature.Tiffany Boothe/Seaside Aquarium
A seal pup rests on the beach on the north Oregon coast, waiting for its mother to return from hunting.
A seal pup rests on the beach on the north Oregon coast, waiting for its mother to return from hunting.
A seal pup rests on the beach on the north Oregon coast, waiting for its mother to return from hunting.
Human interference could also force seals to permanently separate from their young, which could be detrimental to the pups. Baby seals rely on their mothers’ milk to develop a layer of insulating fat that, while cute, is also vital to their survival as they gain independence in the open water.
If that’s not incentive enough, any act of touching, feeding, moving, harassing or killing baby seals may be a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the aquarium said.
If you come across a seal pup you should leave it alone and can call the Marine Mammal Stranding Network, which will monitor the situation and put up signs informing the public to keep their distance. The Seaside Aquarium said it responded to and placed signs for 21 seal pups in 2022, all of which safely left the beach.
For sightings on the northern Oregon and southern Washington coast, people can call the aquarium directly at 503-738-6211. If a stranded marine mammal is found elsewhere, you can call the Marine Mammal Hotline at 1-800-452-7888.
— Jamie Hale
503-294-4077; jhale@oregonian.com; @HaleJamesB
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