Save The Seals

Seals are masters at swimming and hunting fish. However, they come to the land for resting and breeding. Apart from threats by the phocine distemper virus, plastic debris, and toxic chemicals the major threats to seals are hunting by humans and fishing activities at sea. Quite frequently seals get tangled and stranded in fishing gears. The strong plastic and nylon ropes can cut seals to their bones causing deep anguish and suffering death.

By not dropping rubbish and litter in the sea, one can help the seals. Helping to maintain the beaches neat and free from hazardous materials is a positive step to help seals and marine life. There are several people’s movements and legislative measures that are attempting to put an end to the cruelty of seal hunting. However, as an individual, there are certain ways in which you can save the seals found in the shore when they are diseased or hurt and when the young ones are helplessly abandoned.

Normally, mother seals leave their young ones for brief periods at shore and go for swimming. Following the weaning period, the young seals are left to themselves to learn to swim, seek food, and lead an independent life. During this brief period, the baby seals remain sedentary in the shore. Due to their defenseless nature, seals are vulnerable to their predators and mostly to human hunt. When the mother seals go away from their pups for brief periods, it is not advisable for humans and dogs to touch them.

The unique scent is the only way in which a mother seal identifies its pup. If they sense strange scents in their young ones, they just abandon them and leave. Healthy seals must be left alone without any disturbance. If you find a young seal left alone, wait for sometime to see if its mother is somewhere near. If it still remains there or if you find injuries, disease or disability in seals, you can call up a help line number and inform the rescue personnel.

It is always advisable not to go near seals and also to keep the pets away from them. Seals may bite in defense, which can cause a serious injury or disease. The only thing that you can do till the rescue team arrives is to ensure that the pup or seal does not slip into the water. You can stand between the seal and water at a distance or can place a barrier in front of them to keep them in the shore.

Several animal sanctuaries and rescue centers are well equipped with all facilities and medicines to treat seals. The rescue teams have appropriate transport systems and trained personnel to shift them to these centers. By seeking help through help lines, you can avail an expert service to rehabilitate the seals at danger.