By Jonathan Phelps
A number of harp and hooded seals are finding their way to Cape Ann's beaches and iced-over harbors these days.
And while seal sightings are normal around here in the spring, the number of the marine mammals appearing this winter is up from previous years, according to Mason Weinrich, executive director of the Gloucester-based Whale Center of New England.
With sightings in Manchester, on Long Beach and at Lanes Cove in the last several days, Weinrich emphasized that, although the seals are cute or may look stranded, they are wilds animals and should be left alone.
"People think that because a seal is letting them approach it, that it is OK," said Weinrich. "But that is not the case."
He said people should report all sightings, maintain a quite area, stay at least 50 yards away, and never try to touch a live marine mammal.
The animals — although they seem calm — can turn on a human at any point and attack them. It can also be stressful for the seals when humans approach them, sometimes leading to shock or even death.
Weinrich said most of the seals spotted recently are harp or hooded seals that are native of northern Canada, swim hundreds of miles to reach Cape Ann — and want to rest after doing so. He said it is normal for some of them to rest on land or ice for at least a couple of days.
"They are from remote areas," said Weinrich, adding that these ice seals don't know humans very well. "They find what they think is a sheltered area to rest."
But some people think a seal spotted on land might be sick, stranded or injured, and in trying to help take matters in their own hands. Weinrich said they can make matters worse. That's why it's important to report all sightings and let professionals determine if the animal is sick or not.
Staff members at the Whale Center are trained to determine whether a seal needs assistance by evaluating its body condition, posture, and other factors, Weinrich said.
Seals that are sick can be transported to a rehabilitation facility, but Weinrich said that transporting a seal is a last resort because of the stress it adds. A seal in Marblehead had to be transported recently because it wandered into a parking lot.
Weinrich said it is illegal to harass or disturb a seal under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which says people need to stay at least 50 yards away. He also said it is important to keep away dogs that could attack or startle a seal.
Harp and hooded seals are classified by the Whale Center as "winter residents" that eventually travel back north. Seals that are "year-round residents" are harbor seals and gray seals. An adult harp seal can be up to 6 feet long and can weigh between 250 and 300 pounds. Hooded seals can grow up to 9 feet long and can weigh between 400 and 850 pounds.
Weinrich said the number of seals that make the journey each year fluctuates, but he added that this year has been very busy.
Last year, the Whale Center received a total of 16 calls regarding seal sightings or strandings; so far, the center has received 24 calls since Jan. 9, and "it is not even the peak of the season," he added. That tends to be from mid to late February, he said.
Weinrich said it's important for the Whale Center to follow up on all the reports to check on the health of the seals and as a means to compile scientific data. That work is made possible by the John Prescott Marine Mammal Stranding Fund, Bruce J. Anderson Foundation and National Grid Foundation Massachusetts Environmental Trust.
Weinrich said there are several other organizations that care for stranded marine mammals, but the Whale Center covers the coast from Marblehead to the New Hampshire line.
"We all work collaboratively," Weinrich said.
Jonathan Phelps can be reached at 978-283-7000, x3447, or via e-mail at gt_reporter@gloucestertimes.com.
SEEN A SEAL?
Report it to the Whale Center of New England at 978-281-6351 or New England Aquarium's Marine Animal Hotline at 617-973-5247.
Maintain a quiet area around live mammals.
Keep your distance — at least 50 yards. Approaches can greatly stress an animal even if it appears calm. This stress can lead to shock or even death.
Never touch or try to feed these wild animals, which can bite or injure you. Touching is also very stressful for the animal.
Keep dogs away.
Don't try to make the seal move or cover it with a blanket or towel.
For more information go to: www.whalecenter.org or www.neaq.org
