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It is illegal to harass, injure, kill, etc. any of the marine mammals listed under this international law. Messing with a stressed out beached seal is harassment. Snuggle and hug them? What planet did you grow up on OP? Are you a troll?
Leave the seals alone. If you see one beached and alone like that, it probably needs help. Contact a local animal control or fish and game department office to let them take the most HELPFUL and APPROPRIATE action.
Can you approach young beached seals, pet, and snuggle them a little, like you do with a dog?
Sometimes in winter, I will see a young seal on the beaches of Long Island. They just lying there for rest I guess. They are so cute. I want to lay down next to it and hug it. I imagine their fur being so soft.
I am afraid they will bite me though. Seals are carnivores. Are young seals generally hostile like wolves?
I'm sorry ... this has to be a joke, right? No one could be this ... well, I can't think of a word that wouldn't get me banned from C-D ...
But holy crap, OP. Seriously?
"Sometimes I see foxes in my backyard, and they are so beautiful I just want to cuddle them like I do my cats and dogs. That would love that too, right?"
No, don't pet the seals. Go to an animal shelter or rescue and adopt a dog. That dog will be your most loyal friend for life and would love to be petted and snuggled and go on walks on the beach.
I'm sorry ... this has to be a joke, right? No one could be this ... well, I can't think of a word that wouldn't get me banned from C-D ...
But holy crap, OP. Seriously?
"Sometimes I see foxes in my backyard, and they are so beautiful I just want to cuddle them like I do my cats and dogs. That would love that too, right?"
Young beached seals may be adorable, but my first instinct wouldn't be to cuddle them. The poor things are probably terrified.
I'd probably be asking around about what government department I should contact to rescue them, or wondering if it would be safe for me to move them into the ocean myself. Or maybe I'd look for a bucket to splash them with, to make sure they don't dry out.
Leave them Alone! Or Mom Will Reject them & They will Die! STAY AWAY
But I dont think these I see need their mothers or are that young still. They are all by themselves, and they are not that small. They arent huge or max length for a seal. They have white fur. They are maybe three to four feet in length, and really plump.
Quote:
Originally Posted by VTsnowbird
And you want to disturb them why exactly? They likely are wet and smell bad. Get a dog or a cat to satisfy your need for cuteness, or just volunteer at the animal shelter. Leave wild animals alone.
The seals are more rotund. They just look like pillows.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zoisite
Can you approach young beached seals, pet, and snuggle them?
No. It's illegal to touch or interfere with them. What you are suggesting - snuggling - is actually molestation in this scenario. It's harmful to the animal because of the mother's reaction and possible rejection of it if you leave your human scent on the youngster. If you do handle it you will frighten it and its cries for help may attract the attention of adult seals, as well as attracting other land predators that would kill it.
I usually see this seals solitary. There are no large groups of seals around. Its Long Island. I usually see one or two very far apart from each other.
Quote:
Originally Posted by karen_in_nh_2012
I'm sorry ... this has to be a joke, right? No one could be this ... well, I can't think of a word that wouldn't get me banned from C-D ...
But holy crap, OP. Seriously?
"Sometimes I see foxes in my backyard, and they are so beautiful I just want to cuddle them like I do my cats and dogs. That would love that too, right?"
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