It's seal pupping season – give pups space

The harbor seal breeding season is underway in northwest Washington, and the National Marine Fisheries Service is reminding people to stay away from seal pups that have been left alone by their mothers on the beach.

Seals and sea lions come ashore to rest, regulate their body temperature and nurse their young. Mothers often leave pups behind to rest and stay warm while they return to the ocean to feed. They are wary and easily spooked from returning to care for their pup. A seal pup alone on the beach has likely not been abandoned but could become so if people and pets stay in the area.

Seal pups are vulnerable to attack; keep pets away and on a leash. Pets can disturb or harm wildlife or separate mothers from their pups.

Federal regulations prohibit harassing or interfering with marine mammals such as harbor seals and require people stay a minimum of 100 feet away from the animals. Marine mammal experts recommend staying 100 yards away, however.

In northwest Washington, the seal pupping season lasts through August, according to the fisheries service.

If you see an injured, stranded or dead marine mammal, please call the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network’s hotline at 360/966-8845. Visit wmmsn.org to find out more about the stranding network.