If
you "seal" something, say something - that's what marine
experts from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center are telling
Jersey Shore residents as seals are more frequently seen sleeping
on the beaches.
Marine
experts warn
to stay back
and keep your pets away from them.
The
Marine Mammal Stranding Center is rehabilitating nine seals found along the
beaches. They're pups, only 3 months old. In about a
month, they'll head north and follow the food source. Until then,
they'll be seen resting on the beaches. Anyone who sees a seal should stay
back at least 150 feet and give the center a call so they can document the
location. Harassing a seal is illegal.
"You
can be fined several thousand dollars," says Bob Schoelkopf, founding
director of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center. "They are federally
protected animals. Anybody getting too close, that's considered
harassment - or if your dog bites or you chasing animal back
in, that's harassment. If you're caught [on] videotape, like there are so many
people with cameras there ... you can be fined."
The
center is getting ready to release two of its rehabilitated seals
back into the ocean next week.