Baby seal lounging on beach (photo Tiffany Boothe, Seaside Aquarium)(Oregon Coast) - They’re cute, cuddly, and oh-so tempting to go and pet and play with. Plus, they look lonely and abandoned on the beach, and this brings out some paternal instincts in you to go and help.But you’re not helping - you’re doing far more damage by attempting to “help” a baby seal on the beach. Officials on the Oregon coast are getting anxious again as baby seal season kickstarts right about now. Little cuddly, fuzzy harbor seal pups will start showing up on the beaches in greater numbers soon, just as the numbers of tourists begin to increase.
Don’t touch them under any circumstance, say officials, because they’re mothers are waiting nearby.Tiffany Boothe, of the Seaside Aquarium, said sometimes when these adorable creatures wander onto the beach, the public is temped to grab them or otherwise mistake them for being in danger or in need of saving. But that is not the case, and you should leave them alone.
If you see a seal on the beach, do not assume it’s been abandoned by its mother, said Boothe. In fact, if anything the opposite is true.
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“We’ve already had this one, and I’m sure there will be more as the year goes on,” Chandler said. Harbor seal pupping season is now through July, Chandler said, but you may find some in August and September.
“They’re just fine on land,” Chandler said. “Their mothers are waiting for them somewhere nearby. And she won’t come back to get the seal until the people are gone. Yeah, they’re cute and all that. That’s great. Just leave them alone.“They are just little babies, and like any baby, they need to sleep a lot. That’s what they’re onshore doing.”Last year in April, two seal pups wandered up in different areas of the north coast – both of them apparently newborn. These were some of the more serious interferences by humans in recent years. One arrived on the waterfront at Astoria, where it was picked up by a man police described as “difficult to communicate with.” He walked around town with it until he was nabbed by police.
Boothe poses with an especially adorable baby seal after setting up signs making sure the public stays awayThe other wandered up to a spot south of Cannon Beach, where several people attempted to put it back in the water. Later, someone’s dog attacked the cuddly little guy.The baby seal that was bitten by a dog was soon picked up by a well-meaning man who noticed its wounds. The wounds were not life threatening, but the man took the little creature a few miles up the road to Mo’s Chowder in Cannon Beach. There, staff called the aquarium, which in turn told him to take it back to where he found it.
The important thing to remember, say aquarium officials, is that the mother needs to be able to find it again.Also coming up in the summertime and spring is the molting season for elephant seal yearlings. At the end of their first year, these larger critters wind up on the beach, shedding skin and fur, often visibly in pain.
Elephant seal molting on the beach at Manzanita (photo Boothe)These too are protected under the law and should be left alone for different reasons, besides the fact they’ll probably bite you if you get too close. These creatures are about five feet in length as well, so they’re considerably larger and more dangerous than a seal pup. This is just part of their normal life process. As unpleasant as it may seem, there’s nothing you can do or should do.Elephant seal molting season happens now through the fall, Chandler said.There are other problems with touching these, or any other creatures washed up on the beach – especially the dead bodies of mammals or fish.Boothe said touching these creatures presents possible health problems. Any kind of marine mammal found dead or alive poses a potential health risk, and untrained people coming into contact with them risk exposing themselves, domestic animals and marine mammals to various types of diseases.
In 2006, Boothe and Chandler were alerted to various dead marine mammals that had washed up on shore, including a sea lion whose head had been removed. Such actions, say Boothe and Chandler, seriously pose a risk to those who had perpetrated such illegal acts.
Chandler inspects a wounded sea lion near Astoria - an angry and unpleasant creature that should really be left alone as these are dangerous Chandler said others in the past have done a variety of really stupid things when it comes to stranded seal pups. One group a few years ago picked the pup up and kept it in the bathtub of their hotel room, then called the aquarium. Other people have grabbed the creatures and kept them in their car for a while as well.“We can’t take these or rehabilitate them,” Booth said. “So we always tell them to take them back to where they found them. Otherwise, their mother can’t find them.”Disease is one of many reasons the aquarium cannot accept or help seals on the beach: they can’t risk infecting their current pool full of seals.To report other incidents of marine mammal strandings on Oregon beaches, call 1-800-452-7888.
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Inn at Cannon Beach. Beautifully wooded natural setting at quiet south end of Cannon Beach. Great during winter storms with a new book by the fireplace – or when the sun is out for family fun and beach strolling. Handsome beach cottage-style architecture. Lush flowering gardens and naturalized courtyard pond. Warm, inviting guest rooms. Continental buffet breakfast. Warm Cookies. Family and Pet Friendly. Welcome gifts. Smoke-free. Complimentary Wireless Connectivity. Wine and book signing events. 800-321-6304 or 503-436-9085. Hemlock At Surfcrest, Cannon Beach, Oregon. http://www.atcannonbeach.com/.
D Sands Condominium Motel, Lincoln City. Free, fresh baked cookie upon check-in is just the start. All rooms beachfront and up against Lincoln City's most famous stretch of beach: the D River. Each room comes as a suite or mini-suite, and has a kitchen and balcony or patio. Some w/ gas fireplaces, while all have a DVD Players; movies to rent come with free popcorn. Heated indoor pool, a spa, and this fabulous beach is lit at night. Rooms sleep from two, four to six - including a deluxe fireplace suite. Gift certificates orspecial occasion packages. http://www.dsandsmotel.com/. 171 S.W. Highway 101. 800-527-3925.
Arch Cape Property Services. Dozens of homes in that dreamy, rugged stretch between Cannon Beach and Manzanita known as Arch Cape. Oceanfront and ocean view , or just a short walk from the sea.
All homes are immaculate and smoke free; some pet friendly (with a fee). Some with broadband, indoor or outdoor hot tubs, fireplaces, decks, and fire pits or barbecues. Call about tempting winter specials that go until March (not valid holidays, however). http://www.archcaperentals.com/ 866-436-1607.
Inn At Spanish Head, Lincoln City. Lincoln City’s only resort hotel built right on the beach with all oceanfront rooms - nestled against a rugged cliffside overlooking a soft, sandy beach. Dine in penthouse restaurant and bar, for casual meal or candlelight dinner. An array of seafood specialties, juicy steaks and other Northwest favorites, including decadent Sunday buffet. Rooms range from bedrooms to studios to 1-bedroom suites with microwaves and refrigerators to full kitchens. Also, wi-fi, spa, saunas, exercise room and year-round heated swimming pool. Kids will love the game room and easy beach access. Full-service conference/meeting rooms for that inspirational retreat; extensive wedding possibilities. 4009 SW Highway 101, Lincoln City. 1-800-452-8127 or 541-996-2161. www.spanishhead.comRELATED STORIESClick here for video of Dec. storm aftermathOregon Coast Best of Awards for the Year And the winners are: best of Oregon coast restaurants, lodgings, science, odd events in nature and stunning moments for 2007Watching Transformations of Oregon Coast Beaches Seasons change and so do beaches, revealing different sides and a variety of eye-popping sightsStaggeringly Cool Ideas for Oregon Coast Romance Be it the season of Valentine's or be it any time of the year, Oregon's coastline has essentially cornered the market for cuddle-inducing possibilities and gushy activities for the hand-holding setDay or Night Mysteries and Merriment on Oregon Coast It's more than just nightlife that comes to life, but the beaches offer major opportunitiesOregon Coast Travel Site Goes Wireless Provides Lodging Reports - Oregon Coast Beach Connection now has mobile lodging and dining listings, along with weekly lodging availability reportsCONTACT / ADVERTISE ON BEACH CONNECTION
ASTORIAWhere the Columbia meets the Pacific, Land of Lewis & Clark and loads of atmosphere & history
SEASIDE
The Promenade, Tillamook Head, family fun & broad, sandy beaches
CANNON BEACHA mysterious lighthouse, upscale yet earthy, a huge monolith, fine eateries & an art mecca
NEHALEM BAY
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TILLAMOOK BAY
Garibaldi, Barview, Bay City, Tillamook & an oceanfront ghost town
THREE CAPES LOOP
The hidden secret of the coast: Cape Meares, a lighthouse, Oceanside, Netarts and Pacific City
DEPOE BAYA spouting horn downtown, freaky hidden cliffs and whales, whales, whales
NEWPORTTime-tripping Nye Beach, a bustling bayfront, marine science-central and two lighthouses
YACHATS
Constantly dramatic wave action, a mix of the rugged & upscale
FLORENCE
A lighthouse, ancient bayfront and miles and miles of fluffy dunes
