"LEAVE SEALS BE” AND
CALL THE MARINE MAMMAL
CENTER'S RESPONSE HOTLINES
Help us spread the word to “Leave Seals Be”! Based on the common flyers posted for lost pets, these “Not Lost” flyers let people know to leave harbor seal pups alone. You can help the Center by printing out the appropriate flyers for your area below, and posting them in beach communities in the San Luis Obispo, Monterey Bay, and San Francisco Bay areas.
San Francisco Bay, Sonoma, and Mendocino: Download flyer here.
Monterey Bay: Download flyer here.
San Luis Obispo: Dowload flyer here.
Click to play psa
video
Produced courtesy Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners www.bssp.com
The Marine Mammal Center reminds coastal residents and visitors every March and April to “Leave Seals Be” and to call The Center’s 24-hour response hotline (listed below by region). The goal of the “Leave Seals Be” public education campaign is to reduce the number of harbor seal pups which are admitted to The Center due to unnecessary human intervention.
The Center continues to admit seal pup patients suffering from maternal separation as a direct result of beachgoers who think they are helping by moving or picking up a seal pup. This year, help give harbor seal pups a better chance at life by calling the 24-hour response hotline.
Here are area specific response hotlines:
(415) 289-SEAL - For the Bay Area (including Point Reyes National Seashore, Bolinas, Richmond, Sausalito, and Pescadero)
(415) 289-SEAL - For the Anchor Bay and Fort Bragg region (including Sonoma and Mendocino coastlines, including Jenner, the Sea Ranch and MacKerricher areas)
(805) 771-8300 - For the Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo region (including southern Big Sur, Moonstone Drive in Cambria and Shell Beach areas)
(831) 633-6298 - For the Monterey Bay region (including San Lorenzo River, Pebble Beach, and northern Big Sur areas)
After your call is placed, The Center will monitor the pup for 24-hours or more, depending on the situation, and if necessary trained volunteers and staff will rescue it safely. Also check out our What to do if you find a stranded marine mammal
Get involved and spread the word! Here are a few ways to get involved:
Show Supportby purchasing a fun t-shirt that reminds the world that these pups need our help
Become a Volunteer and get involved with the day-to-day care of marine mammals at The Center’s hospital.
Harbor Seal Mothers and Their Pups:
The best chance at survival for a young pup is with its mother. Its mother’s milk contains important antibodies that help build the young pup’s immune system.
Therefore, well-meaning beachgoers who attempt to help these pups by taking them home, returning them to the water, covering them with a blanket, or approaching them too close, actually are doing more harm then good.
** Also, a gentle reminder, that these animal are protected under The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 making it illegal and punishable by law to “take” marine mammals without a permit. ***
Harbor
seal pupping season
The Center continues to admit seal pup patients suffering from maternal separation as a direct result of beachgoers who think they are helping by moving or picking up a seal pup. This year, help give harbor seal pups a better chance at life by calling the 24-hour response hotline.
After your call is placed, The Center will monitor the pup for 24-hours or more, depending on the situation, and if necessary trained volunteers and staff will rescue it safely. Also check out our 