Seal season: What to do if you come across a seal on shore
This time of year, seals are a common sight along beaches and on land, but wildlife experts say seeing these animals on shore isn't usually a cause for alarm.
Hope Swinimer, founder of Hope for Wildlife, says the semi-aquatic animals spend a third of their life on shore because they enjoy basking in the sun and drying out.
"They often lay on their side, people are often concerned and call because they do weird poses, but this is all very normal," says Swinimer.
This season, seals typically begin their molt and have less fur, but the animals don't have a strong ability to thermal regulate -- leading them to be more present out of the water. Swinimer says this happens on a yearly basis.
Come May, the population may grow and baby harbour seals will become another sight to see on the beach. Depending on the species, they are usually out of the water for at least three weeks.
Swinimer adds if a seal is seen out in the sun, the public should keep a distance as crowding can stress the animal.
"Stay at least 150 feet away, control your dog if you're dog is walking with you, and try and keep other people away too. It's incredibly stressful for the seal if you approach it," says Swinimer.
Wildlife experts are encouraging people to never attempt to put the animal back in the water, saying they chose to be out of it and want to soak up the sun.
"Just let them rest and absorb the sun and let them do what they like to do," says Swinimer.
However, if a seal has distress signs, such as nasal discharge, gloopy and closed eyes, open wounds, or flies around the animal, it's best to reach out to Marine Animal Response Society (MARS) or Hope for Wildlife and they will help the situation.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.