DISTURBING FOOTAGE: Local Press Makes Spectacle of Inadvertent Seal Harassment

UPDATE May 1, 2007: Editorial

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"... getting too close stresses out the seal and actually causes them to become ill... when the seals become stressed it lowers the effectiveness of their immune system and they can potentially die," according to Sarah Herzig, Stranding Coordinator for the Cape Cod Stranding Network.

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"Seals that are approached by humans and dogs can become very stressed and can even begin to suffer from symptoms of shock."  -from a Cape Cod Stranding Network press release...

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A safe distance to view a seal is considered to be at least 150 feet away, according to a press release from the Cape Cod Stranding Network.

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Hyannis News recently learned of a disturbing photo and video published (May 1, 2007)  by a local online news source of the  "release" of a recovering seal back into the wild where a crowd was encouraged to gather around the seal, calling it by a pet name, coaxing it back into the water.  Whatever good that was done while treating the animal was possibly undone by the method in which it was released.  The seal was clearly stressed... and the event seemed to be for the entertainment of the press, and others gathered on the beach... This spectacle appeared to be devoid of any reverence or respect for this WILD creature.

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At Hyannis News we do not profess to be experts on seals, put this recent footage raises questions about animal release procedures.  Getting too close to these animals is contrary to everything we've been taught about the subject.  The people surrounding this seal at the time of its release did not appear to be trained caretakers, and the footage sends mixed messages on how close the public should get to the seals.

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I am certain the people involved in this video had good intentions, but having been around seals in the Hyannis area and on Penikese Island, I've learned that these creatures need their space in order to thrive. 

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The local human population on Cape Cod will likely continue to increase.  Any future coverage of these happy releases (and again, I must emphasize the good intentions of those involved in the inadvertant harassment) must be done in such a way as to educate the growing public which will continue to encounter these sea mammals in their natural habitat when we visit local beaches.

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Hyannis is a wonderful city by the sea, there is no reason why we cannot coexist with the seals.  These are wild animals and its unhealthy for them to have contact with humans... they are not "cartoon" creatures with names put here for our amusement.  They are part of Cape Cod wildlife and we should all be able to enjoy them- with binoculars- from a distance.

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Real Cape Codders respect local wildlife.  Please don't BUG the seals!

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(Please read the following Hyannis News coverage republished at the request of our readers- Origionally published Mar. 23, 2007)

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HYANNIS- It’s that time of year again where people and their pets are heading back for walks along the beach.  But humans are not the only ones that can be seen enjoying the Cape’s sun and sand.  Seals are being spotted and it’s causing some concern.  Not because of the seals being out of place, but because of stress.

This morning at approximately 8:20am the Barnstable Police and Barnstable Animal Control responded to Craigville Beach for a report of people harassing a seal.  Hyannis News arrived and learned that someone thought she was helping the resting seal by trying to coax it back into the water.  She actually admitted to petting the seal.  Although she thought she was being a help, she likely did much more harm than good.

Today’s seal was likely a young Harp Seal on its way down from Canada.  It’s perfectly normal for them to come up onto local beaches to rest after their long journey, according to Sarah Herzig, Stranding Coordinator for the Cape Cod Stranding Network.

Touching, petting, getting too close stresses out the seal and actually causes them to become ill.  When the seals become stressed it lowers the effectiveness of their immune system and they can potentially die. 

Humans can also be harmed by getting too close.  All seals are capable of delivering a nasty bite.  Losing a finger is only half the problem as a seal’s mouth has bacteria which will cause infection. 

In fact, Seals carry diseases harmful to humans that can be transmitted by a bite, touch, or inhalation. 

And if all the above still doesn’t convince you to keep away, bear in mind that seals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.  A person touching a seal could be charged both criminally and civilly with fines ranging up to $1000 and/or jail time.

So please keep yourself, your pet, and our sea mammal friends safe by respecting each other’s space.

You can help by reporting seal sightings on local beaches to the Stranding Net Hotline at 508-743-9548.  They would appreciate your help in tracking these fascinating wild animals. 

For more information you may visit them online at http://www.capecodstranding.net  

Hyannis News, the Cape Cod Stranding Network, and the seals, would like to thank you in advance for helping spread the word about Seal Safety.  

UPDATE:  For additional information please read the following official press release from the stranding network:

Ice Seal Vacation: Help them get the rest they need!

1 March 2007: For the past month or so, ice seals that are native to Canada have been vacationing on the beaches of Cape Cod and the South Coast. Young harp and hooded seals swim south from Canadian ice floes in search of food and a place to rest in the mid-winter months. Being semi-aquatic (meaning they spend part of their lives on land and part in the water), seals will often haul out on shore for a little rest and relaxation. Young harp seals are easily distinguished by their silvery or tan coat and irregular black spots that look like ink blots. Young hooded seals lack spots and have a silvery blue coat on their back and a creamy white belly, from which their nickname “Blueback” is derived. 

Although usually only a year or two old, these young seals are completely independent of their mothers, and they are most often seen alone on the beach. These ice seals are unaccustomed to humans and often do not flush back into the water when approached by people or dogs. We expect to see these critters hanging out on our beaches through the month of April; they will then head back to their native north country just in time to make room for our newest young residents, harbor seal pups. The resident seals (gray and harbor seals) that stay in our area year-round are also semi-aquatic and spend much of their time resting on land. As winter slowly turns to spring, please use the information below to help you safely observe the different seals in our region.

Remember, not every seal found on the beach is stranded. Many are just resting and should not be disturbed. Seals that are approached by humans and dogs can become very stressed and can even begin to suffer from symptoms of shock. Seals can bite when provoked, so keep your pets on a leash and maintain your distance from these wild animals at all times. The Marine Mammal Protection Act protects all seals: any activity that disturbs them is considered harassment and is punishable by federal civil and criminal penalties. Please be a responsible wildlife watcher and view them from a safe distance of at least 150 feet. If a seal appears sick or injured please report them to the Cape Cod Stranding Network Hotline: 508-743-9548. 

The Cape Cod Stranding Network is a small non-profit organization that responds to stranded whales, dolphins, and seals on Cape Cod and the South Coast. The mission of the Cape Cod Stranding Network is to promote the conservation of marine mammal species and their habitat by improving the rescue and humane care of stranded marine mammals, advancing stranding science, and increasing public awareness through education. The help of concerned coastal residents is essential to the Cape Cod Stranding Network’s successful stranding response.