Dustin De Gagne, field supervisor for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Whale Protection Unit, advised people not to approach, feed, touch or move seal pups and to stay a safe distance away and keep pets and children away from them. (They are born with a full set of teeth.)
Anoyone who disturbs or takes possession of a marine mammal such as a harbor seal pup without authorization could be fined up to $100,000 for a first offence and would have to make a court appearance, said De Gagne.
The DFO said any incidents of seal or marine mammal disturbance should be reported to the DFO Marine Mammal Reporting Line at 1-800-465-4336 or by email at [email protected].
If there is concern that the seal pup is sick, inured or may actually be abandoned, call the Vancouver Aquarium Ocean Wise Marine Mammal Rescue Program at 604-258-SEAL (7325).
@marinemammalrescue What NOT to do if you find a baby seal…#rescue #babyseal
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