Seals are captivating marine mammals, but they are wild creatures, not pets. Approaching or attempting to pet a seal is not advisable, as direct contact can disrupt their natural routines and well-being.
Understanding Seal Behavior
Seals are wild animals whose natural instincts govern their responses to their environment. Physical contact from humans can induce stress and fear, even if human intentions are benign. Seals may appear curious, sometimes approaching boats or shorelines, but this should not be misinterpreted as an invitation for physical interaction. What might seem like friendly behavior is often exploratory or a consequence of habituation to human presence.
Human proximity can disrupt a seal’s natural behaviors, including resting, nursing, and thermoregulation. Seals frequently come ashore, known as “hauling out,” to rest, molt, or give birth. If disturbed, seals may flush into the water prematurely, expending energy and increasing their stress levels. This can be detrimental for mothers and pups, as disruption during the post-natal bonding period can lead to permanent separation. Prolonged human disturbance can lead to chronic stress, impacting a seal’s health and reproductive success.
Risks and Legal Protections
Attempting to pet seals carries risks for both the animals and humans. Seals possess sharp teeth and powerful jaws, inflicting severe bites if they feel threatened or provoked. Such bites pose a risk of infection, including “seal finger,” caused by bacteria in their mouths. This can lead to joint inflammation and, if left untreated, serious health complications. Seals can also transmit zoonotic diseases, such as leptospirosis, salmonella, and E. coli.
Human interaction can also negatively impact seals by causing habituation, where seals lose their natural wariness of people. This can make them vulnerable to injury from boats or entanglement in fishing gear, as they may approach humans expecting food. If a mother seal perceives a threat, she may abandon her pup, leaving the young animal without essential care.
In the United States, seals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), enacted in 1972. This federal law makes it illegal to “take” marine mammals, which includes harassing, hunting, capturing, or killing them. Harassment is defined as any act that has the potential to injure a marine mammal or disrupt its behavioral patterns, such as feeding or disturbing it. Violations of the MMPA can result in civil penalties up to $11,000, or criminal fines and imprisonment for up to one year.
Responsible Seal Viewing
Observing seals responsibly is important to ensure their safety and comply with legal protections. Maintain a safe distance from seals, ideally at least 100 yards (about 91 meters) when they are on land or in the water. If a seal shows signs of being disturbed, such as raising its head, watching you, or moving away, it indicates you are too close, and you should slowly back away.
Using binoculars or a zoom lens is a good way to observe seals without encroaching on their space. Keep noise levels down and avoid sudden movements that might startle the animals. Feeding seals is prohibited, as it can alter their natural foraging behaviors and lead to dependence on humans.
If you encounter a seal that appears distressed, injured, entangled, or abandoned, do not approach it yourself. Instead, contact local wildlife authorities or marine mammal stranding networks. These trained professionals are equipped to assess the situation and provide appropriate assistance without causing further harm or stress to the animal.