News Release

GREY SEALS AND HUMANS – A RISKY BUSINESS

Moncton - The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), wishes to advise the public to be extremely cautious if they come across grey seals on our shores. Seals may appear to be "cute and cuddly" but they are wild animals and should be left alone.

Like all wild animals, if seals are cornered or believed they are being threatened, they may respond by attacking, inflicting serious injuries requiring medical attention.

If there is reason to believe that a seal is injured or suffering, we recommend you contact your local DFO office.

At this time of year, females concentrate on island rookeries around Nova Scotia and the Northumberland Strait to give birth. After about three weeks after birth, the females will abandon their pups. These seal pups will remain on shore for another two to three weeks during which they molt, shedding their white coat for a mottled grey one. Once molted and having depleted their reserve of fat, they enter the water and begin foraging. Once they have fed, seal will come out of the water and rest for periods as long as 48 hours. It is quite normal to see a young seal resting on the shore.

For a large number of pups, their foraging bring them ashore on beaches, wharves and anywhere adjacent to the ocean where they inevitably come in contact with humans.

DFO reminds the public that under the Marine Mammals Regulations it is illegal to harass seals.

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For information:

Internet: http://www.glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/comm-comm/nr-cp/index-e.html