OCEAN SHORES — Police in Ocean Shores received an increase in 911 calls over the weekend from people reporting harbor seal pups that appeared to be stranded.
Police say don’t worry; the baby seals are just waiting for mom to return.
Officer Paul Henderson told KBKW-AM that mothers will often leave their pups on the beach for several hours at a time while they’re foraging for food. It’s normal for seal pups to be alone on the beach. This does not mean they’re abandoned.
But, meddling with a pup might cause the mother to abandon it.
Nursing pups remain with their mothers for four to six weeks until they are weaned.
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