As warmer spring days arrive in New York, seals are becoming more visible on city beaches. Species like the common harbor seal and Arctic harp seal are hauling out to rest. Wildlife officials are advising people to keep their distance. The Gothamist reports that admirers should maintain at least 150 feet of space between themselves and the seals to avoid potentially harming the animals or running afoul of federal laws protecting marine mammals.
The Department of Environmental Conservation marks seal season here from March to May, even though these marine visitors can sometimes be seen as early as November. While the sight of these seals might tempt people to closely approach, Rob DiGiovanni, founder and chief scientist at the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, told the Gothamist, "It's just important to make sure that you keep your distance, really, is the biggest takeaway." He emphasizes that seals can carry diseases transmissible to humans and harbor sharp teeth that can cause injury.
Jill Pryor, senior biologist with the NY Marine Rescue Center, explained in a New York Post interview, "It is what we consider our seal season, so typically we start to get a lot of strandings towards the end of January and early February, and they really start to pick up between March and April." These strandings sometimes include injured or emaciated seals requiring medical attention.
Pryor also advises the public on how to distinguish between a seal taking a harmless rest and one that might be in distress. A healthy seal often assumes the "banana pose," lying on their side with their rear flippers and head raised, a sign of good health. In contrast, those who may spot a seal that appears injured, showing wounds or lying on its stomach without raising its head, should contact the New York Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Hotline at 631-369-9829. As for those attempting to capture the perfect seal selfie, Pryor warns to absolutely avoid getting close and to keep all pets on a leash to prevent any potential disturbances.
