OCEAN CITY, Md. - A juvenile harp seal was found resting on the shores of Ocean City on Tuesday.
Officials tell us it's typical for seals to rest on the beach during this time of year. On average, they see about 30 to 50 come up on shore between January and April. So far, this year there have been 11 sightings.
If you see a seal on the beach, officials ask that you report the sighting to ensure the animal is not in danger. It's also important to give the seals space - they might be cute, but if you get too close, they could bite.
"If you get close to them or you get your dogs close to them, they're going to either retreat into the water, which jeopardizes them because it just makes them easier for their predators, or the flip side of it is seals bite. And if a dog gets too close, and seals have the same sort of bacteria issues that we do, so we can catch it from them," Development & Marketing Coordinator of the Maryland Coastal Bays Program Sandi Smith said.
It is also against marine law to get too close to a beached seal - the rule is to stay 150 ft back.
To report a sighting of a seal, contact the Marine Animal Rescue Program at 1-800-628-9944, or you can report it online at the Maryland Coastal Bays Program's website at
www.mdcoastalbays.org.
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