On Tuesday, May 11, a caller told the Seal Beach Police Department that a baby sea lion was on the sand near 13th Sreet and Ocean Avenue.
Police referred the matter to Long Beach Animal Care Services, which has the contract to handle animal control issues for the city of Seal Beach.
The sea lion sighting raises the question of what you should do if you find a sea lion or seal.
According to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center (long ago known as Friends of the Sea Lion), you
shouldn’t assume the animal needs help.
“Because they seek rest on the beach for a variety of reasons, not all seals and sea lions on the beach require intervention,” the Mammal Center Web site said.
Don’t go near the animal, either.
“Marine mammals are protected by Federal Law and it is unlawful for unauthorized persons to handle them. Do not touch or feed the animal. Do not try to return the animal to the water,” the Web site said.
“If the animal is ill, it has come on shore to be warm and dry. Feeding a severely malnourished animal can actually harm them,” the Web site said.
You should also know that seals and sea lions, collectively known as pinnipeds, have been known to bite. The Web site advised members of the public to observe a beach sea mammal from at least 100 feet away, then get the exact location of the animal.
For more information, visit the Mammal Center Web site http://pacificmmc.org or phone (949) 494-3050.
