What to do if you find a seal on a beach?
Why does a seal wash up on a beach?
At birth, a seal pup weighs around 15 kilograms. Thanks to its mother’s rich milk, it then gains 1 to 2 kg per day. After three weeks, it weighs around 50 kilograms and begins weaning. It must learn to feed itself.
It is at this point that it is caught off guard by winter storms and finds itself tossed about by the swell and currents, which carry it far from its colony. When it is exhausted, it comes to rest on a beach and leaves again when conditions allow. If it is too weak or injured, it is taken in by a care center.
They are:
- wild and protected animals,
- carnivores that can weigh up to 250 kg.
Seals can:
- bite and scratch,
- transmit diseases.
Safety perimeter
It is important not to frighten the animal or approach it too closely. Establish a safety perimeter of at least 50 meters around the seal.
Do not touch it
Do not let anyone touch it; seal bites can cause complications for humans.
Keep your dogs on a leash
To prevent them from biting or stressing the tired animal.
Report the animal
Contact the Care Center at +33 6 73 75 33 25,
the Pelagis Observatory at +33 5 46 44 99 10, or the fire department at 112.
If possible, send a photo of the animal.