Wounded seal: what to do?

• It is normal to see seals out of the water. Do not attempt to coax it back into the water or spray it; this is not necessary.
• Keep your distance (at least 50 metres) so that the seal can rest and move about freely.
• It is unlawful to handle a seal, force it back into the water or interact with it in any way.
• Do not attempt to feed it. Its survival depends on its ability to feed itself and capture fresh prey.
• If you are on board a boat, be extra cautious to avoid colliding with or approaching the seal.
• Careful! A seal is capable of moving quickly and can be unpredictable. This powerful wild animal can bite and transmit disease.
• Keep dogs on a leash. A free-roaming canine might approach the seal, increasing the the animal’s stress levels and provoking aggressive reactions that might cause injury to the seal or your pet. Seals and dogs can also spread disease.

Since an injured seal generally has a relatively good chance of survival, the QMMERN prefers not to intervene directly, but rather strives to provide the seal with a favourable environment for resting and healing. For example, the QMMERN team might install a security perimeter and educational posters around the animal to notify passers-by of its presence. In some cases, if the animal is in a particularly high-traffic area, the Network might decide to move it to a quieter location to limit disturbance and maximize its chances of survival.

Other times, the source or type of injury results in a moral obligation to intervene in accordance with the QMMERN’s codes of ethics. Indeed, if the injuries were caused directly by human activity, the Network will assess all its options in order to maximize the chances of the animal’s survival. For example, a few weeks ago, the QMMERN mobile team removed a fishing hook that was lodged in the leg of a harbour seal.