{"id":23492,"date":"2024-01-23T04:53:13","date_gmt":"2024-01-23T09:53:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shorebeat.com\/brick\/?p=23492"},"modified":"2024-01-23T04:53:13","modified_gmt":"2024-01-23T09:53:13","slug":"winter-weather-brings-tired-seals-to-local-beaches-heres-why-and-what-to-do-if-you-see-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shorebeat.com\/brick\/2024\/01\/winter-weather-brings-tired-seals-to-local-beaches-heres-why-and-what-to-do-if-you-see-one\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter Weather Brings Tired Seals to Local Beaches: Here’s Why, And What to Do If You See One"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A seal resting on a New Jersey beach. (Photo: Marine Mammal Stranding Center)<\/p><\/div>\n

The Jersey Shore is place where millions come to rest and relax. For some of the state\u2019s most common visitors, however, a day on the beach is much more valuable in January or February than July or August.<\/p>\n

Those visitors come in the form of several seal species \u2013 primarily harbor seals in our immediate area \u2013 that come out of the water to, very literally, take a rest on the sand. They can also sometimes be found on sunny winter days catching a few rays on boat docks in the back bays and rivers. A seal who has emerged from the deep is not necessarily hurt or sick, though some are, and the rule of thumb is always to keep one\u2019s distance.<\/p>\n

But if you\u2019re a resident or visitor who just wants to make sure the cute-but-potentially-dangerous creature on the beach is in good health, there are ways to handle the situation, as the Marine Mammal Stranding Center<\/a> in Brigantine announced this week as a cold snap has brought more seals into view.<\/p>\n

First and foremost, the MMSC said, beyond avoiding getting too close to a wild seal on the beach, no one should attempt to move a seal that appears \u201cstranded\u201d back into the water. Like humans, seals can drown if taken by surprise or if they find themselves unable to muster up the energy to handle the ocean\u2019s currents.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey are resting on the shore for a reason,\u201d the announcement said. \u201cIf you push a sick, tired, injured or young seal into the water, it might drown.\u201d<\/p>\n

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A post shared by Marine Mammal Stranding Center (@marinemammalstrandingcenternj)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n