OLYMPIA - If you see a harbor seal pup that appears to be abandoned on the beach, stay away from it. That's the message from the Central Puget Sound Marine Mammal Stranding Network.

Central Puget Sound Marine Mammal Stranding Network

Harbor seals rest out of the water for several hours each day to regulate body temperature, interact with each other, and sleep.

The Network says it's normal for seal pups to be left alone on the beach while their mother searches for food. It doesn't mean they're abandoned.

"We have been busy responding to seal pups in our region, most of them healthy and just needing to rest on the beach while mom is out catching lunch," said Susan Berta of Orca Network. "But we have also sadly had several incidents of people picking up and carrying the pups around, transporting them in boats and cars, and removing them from the beach to take to a veterinarian. These pups will never go back to their moms."

Human disturbance near the pup may cause stress and delay the mother's return because of natural wariness. The best thing you can do is leave the pup alone and keep your distance so mom will return.

"Let them rest and warm up on the beach undisturbed while waiting for mom to return, so they can live a long and healthy life," said Berta.

All marine mammals are protected by law. Violators of the Marine Mammal Protection Act may be subject to a civil penalty of as much as $10,000 for each violation; or criminal prosecution with a fine of as much as $100,000 or imprisonment for as much as one year, or both.

What you can do

The National Marine Fisheries Service offers the following advice:

- If you see a seal on the beach, give it room. The NMFS marine mammal viewing guidelines recommend a minimum approach distance of 100 yards. The approach limitation will minimize the potential for disturbing a resting animal and/or reduce stress for an animal that may be recovering from illness or injury.

- Observe from a distance using binoculars or a spotting scope if you want to see the animal "close up".

- Keep pets away. Baby seals can easily fall prey to dogs. Older seals may bite in self defense. Dogs are naturally curious about other animals in their environment. To avoid a possibly injurious interaction, dogs should leashed and kept away from seals on the beach. Some diseases are infectious to both dogs and seals. People may also be at risk if they come into direct contact with an infected animal.

Central Puget Sound Marine Mammal Stranding Network

If you see a seal on the beach, give it room and keep dogs away.

- A minimum undisturbed observation period of 24 to 48 hours is recommended to determine whether the pup is being attended by a female. Signs of an attendant female would include; sightings of seal(s) in the water nearby; tracks near the pup; movement of the pup up or down the beach, or in and out of the water.

- Advise neighbors of the animals presence, note its location and when it was first observed.

- Remind others that seal pups need to use shoreline habitat to warm up (Do not pour water on seal pups) and to rest (Do not handle, cover or attempt to feed seal pups).

- Feeding, or baiting seals in the wild is a form of harassment and is harmful. Seals that are fed by humans quickly learn to seek humans for feeding opportunities.

If the pup has been unattended for 48 hours, or is clearly in distress (injured), contact the Central Puget Sound Marine Mammal Stranding Network at 1-866-ORCANET or 360-678-3451, or NMFS a 1-206-526-6733.