Seal ReleasesDead marine mammals often wash ashore along our coastline. Because dead cetaceans and seals can provide valuable information to scientists about the animal’s behaviour and cause of death, reporting the sighting of dead whales can be extremely useful in improving scientific knowledge. It is very important that all of these events are fully documented.
Do NOT touch, pick up, or try to move the animal.
Seals temporarily haul out on land so it is not unusual to find a seal on a beach. Seals come ashore to rest, bathe in the sun and must come ashore to have their pups. Mothers periodically leave their pups alone on the beach so they can feed and replenish their strength so it is important that pups are not approached, handled or moved.
It is thus very important to determine if a seal is healthy (i.e. plump, alert) or, if it is a pup alone on a beach, that mom will not come back (can take 24-48 hours). This must be done before anyone approaches or interacts with the animal.
Scoile Mhuire's Election Scoile Mhuire Primary School in Sandymount, held an election to name a seal before being released.
•••
E-mail: editor@irishsealsanctuary.com
www.irishsealsanctuary.com © 2009-2021
