Seals Invade the Shorelines

Now that the ice has receded from the St. Lawrence, seals must find new platforms out of the water to rest, moult or even give birth. The rocks and beaches of Quebec’s Bas-Saint-Laurent, Gaspésie and Côte-Nord regions will therefore once again be playing host to these marine mammals.

Here are a few things to keep in mind to enjoy your next observation without disturbing the animals.

• If a seal is out of the water, it’s because it needs to be.
• Do not approach the animal; stay at least 50 m away to avoid causing it stress.
• Do not try to feed it; its survival depends on its ability to hunt fresh prey (in fact, feeding seals is against the law).
• Do not try to handle it, coax it back into the water or spray it; it is not only necessary, but also illegal.
• If the seal grunts when it sees you or your dog, it is a sign that it is alert and is reacting to your presence. Consider it a reminder that you need to move away. A seal is capable of moving quickly and can be unpredictable. This wild animal can bite and transmit disease.
• Keep your dog(s) on a leash, for the well-being of both your pet(s) and the seal.
• A shivering seal is not necessarily ill; shivering generates heat.