Newborn Seal Pup

[Ben Souther]

Mothers will often leave the newborns on the beach at dusk while they go off to hunt.
(One of the many good reasons never to let your dog off its leash when at the beach).

We almost stepped on this guy while walking at one of the parks in Plymouth last week at the end of the day.
Another couple who came across it before we did kept trying to 'put it back in the water'. :/

[Saurabh Pillai]

They are very cute and adorable. Where is this park?

I think they are too young to swim.

[Ben Souther]

Saurabh Pillai wrote:They are very cute and adorable. Where is this park?

I think they are too young to swim.

The park is in Plymouth, MA.

I think they're born ready to swim.
This one is probably little more than a day old (judging by the umbilical cord).

[Kaustubh G Sharma]

Welcome to the new world lil Seal ... Hope you think some name for the pretty one Ben

[Greg Charles]

Good for you for taking only pictures! My brother volunteers for the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California, which rescues hurt and abandoned seals and sea lions. One of the saddest things is that many of the pups are there because well-intentioned beachgoers tried to "rescue" them while their mothers were out hunting. Once a pup is touched by a human, its mother will generally never return to it.

[Rahul Sudip Bose]

Greg Charles wrote: Once a pup is touched by a human, its mother will generally never return to it.

Interesting. Can you tell me why do they do that ? Perhaps one could wrap cloth or bag around their hands before they help.

[Bear Bibeault]

Help by leaving it be.

[Greg Charles]

The Center workers use latex gloves, but even that not until there's no hope the mother will return. You can read about the Leave Seals Be program on the MMC's web site.

[Ben Souther]

Rahul Sudip Bose wrote:

Greg Charles wrote: Once a pup is touched by a human, its mother will generally never return to it.

Interesting. Can you tell me why do they do that ? Perhaps one could wrap cloth or bag around their hands before they help.

There is no need to help.

The moms need to leave the pups on the sand in order to hunt so they can feed them and so the pup can sleep.
The best way to help is to A) leave them alone and B) keep your dogs on leashes when you go to the beach, even after hours.