Philadelphia Front Page News TV-Radio News In Brief: If you see seals resting on the Jersey Shore, keep your distance — for their safety and your Forward news by KYW Newsradio frontpagenews1@yahoo.com
Above: Seal pup came ashore to rest and regain strength, according to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center.
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — It’s seal season, and the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, New Jersey is urging the public to stay away from resting and injured seals you may come across on the beach — for their safety and yours.
Director Sheila Dean said it is common to see the animals this time of year. Grey seal pups that are born in Canada or New England come ashore on Jersey Shore beaches to rest after swimming great distances.
Dean said the public should stay at least 150 feet away from them. If the animals feel threatened, they may retreat to the ocean and potentially drown, if they are still too tired. Or, they may attack and bite humans.
“It’s very important that they rest undisturbed because if people are making noise or getting close to them, then they might go back in the water and there is always a chance that one of these little guys could drown because they just don’t have the strength anymore. They need to rest,” she stressed.