Stay away from seals on shore: DFO
CBC News
Posted: Mar 12, 2011 6:24 PM AT
Last Updated: Mar 12, 2011 9:05 PM AT
Related
External Links
(Note:CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external links.)
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans warns Maritimers that seals on shore can be dangerous. (CBC)The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is warning Maritimers to avoid any seals they see on shore.
Harp seals give birth at this time of year, usually on sea ice. But federal scientists expect that because of this year's poor ice conditions, there will be juvenile seals on the shores of Prince Edward Island and the Gulf coast of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
It's normal for seal pups to be abandoned by their mothers before they can fend for themselves but, said DFO spokesperson Chastity MacKinnon, it's important for people and pets to stay away from those pups.
"If people encounter seals along the shores in our region, it doesn't necessarily mean the seals are in distress. People should avoid those seals because they are dangerous," said MacKinnon.
Officials warn that seals will bite when frightened, and the wounds can require antibiotics and stitches. It's also against the law to disturb seals without a licence.
If a seal is on a highway or causing a risk to public health and safety, the DFO said to call the Government of Canada Environment Emergency Hotline at 1-800-565-1633.
Share Tools
Latest Prince Edward Island News Headlines
- NDP votes against electing leader at convention
- The P.E.I. New Democratic Party was supposed to elect a new leader on the weekend, but that didn't happen. more »
- Dry weather threatens some P.E.I. crops
- Clouds of dust are a common site on P.E.I. farms this year as weeks of unusually dry conditions are threatening this year's crops. more »
- New food guidelines for early child care centres
- In March, the P.E.I. Healthy Eating Alliance paid a visit to 10 centres to review menus and offer suggestions on how to improve the nutritional quality of the foods served to the children. more »
- Frosty forecast worries P.E.I. strawberry farmers
- P.E.I. strawberry growers are keeping a close eye on the weather, wondering if a frost warning for Monday night will hurt this year's crop. more »
Top News Headlines
- B.C. police shooting video sparks calls for new probe
- Amateur video of the shooting of a mentally ill Vancouver man five years ago has prompted calls for B.C.'s police complaint commissioner and Crown prosecutors to take another look at the case. more »
- 'Engine shutdown' forced Air Canada jet to land
- A Japan-bound Air Canada Boeing 777 made an emergency landing at Toronto's Pearson airport on Monday, after one of its engines failed. more »
- CP Rail union, Tories battle over collective bargaining
- The federal Conservatives are defending their plan to force striking Canadian Pacific Railway employees back to work as a way to keep the economy on track, while the union representing 4,800 workers says their collective bargaining rights are under attack. more »
- Quebec student talks resume amid continuing protests
- A new round of negotiations between students and Quebec's Liberal government over the province's tuition-fee crisis extended into the night, while thousands took to the street in protest, leading to dozens of arrests. more »
- NDP votes against electing leader at convention
- Province appointing English school board trustees
- P.E.I. players on cup-winning junior hockey team
- Old church needs more money for facelift
- Frosty forecast worries P.E.I. strawberry farmers
- Dry weather threatens some P.E.I. crops
- Liquor store discussion heats up legislature
