From February through May, female harbor seals also come ashore at FMR to give birth and nurse their young. Mother seals leave pups briefly on shore when they forage for food. If you see a lone pup, do not approach it closely; do not touch, move or otherwise disturb it. Chances are good that a seemingly abandoned pup is simply waiting for its mother’s return, but she will not come back to it if humans are too nearby.

It is extremely difficult to reunite a mother and her pup once they have been separated. It is best to move out of the area to give the mother and pup the best chance for reuniting. (more…)