This morning we relocated a healthy male harbor seal to a more remote beach after an overnight observation at the Center. This seal was hauled out yesterday in Sea Isle City, but unfortunately far too many people, some with dogs, continued to crowd around him as he tried to rest. Seals need to haul out on land to rest after hunting, digest their food and restore their energy. Not giving them at least 150 feet of space forces seals to be constantly vigilant, wasting their energy and may force them back into the water before they are ready. Many of the seals in our area are young animals that still have a big learning curve, it is unfair to them to add our human need for photos, videos, selfies and social media check-in's to their list of challenges they must navigate to survive in the wild.
Please keep in mind that seals are Federally-protected animals, and require at least 150 feet (three school buses) of space, MORE if they seem alert to your presence. Dogs should be leashed on the beach, as seals pack a very powerful bite, and can transmit diseases to both humans and dogs. Please DO NOT post locations of seals on social media, it only draws crowds and encourages others to "grab a quick photo", creating more disturbance and stress for the seals. Thank you to all of our followers who have been sharing our message and encouraging others to respect the seals!