For the second time in two weeks, a baby seal has been sighted in the Montreal area, this time near Laval.
Samia, a Laval resident, spotted the small marine mammal on the banks of the Mille Îles river on Monday. Footage she shared on social media shows him lying on a rock, very close to the water.
“We wanted to call the relevant authorities, but he got back into the water. I hope he gets out of there,” Samia wrote.
Photo provided by Samia de Laval
On June 19, a fisherman in Longueuil made an identical observation, which was corrected by wildlife officers that same evening.
Less rare than you think
The presence of the baby seal at Laval was nevertheless reported to the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (RQUMM).
Travel to the metropolitan area is unusual for such behavior by seals, the group emphasizes, which nevertheless receives several such reports each year.
“It happens more often than you think,” explains intervention manager Patrick Weldon.
The months of May and June are actually particularly good for this type of observation, since it is the birth season of seals.
According to Mr. Weldon, harbor seals are “very good in fresh water” and can easily survive around Montreal.
“It will depend on his ability to eat. This determines his state of health.
You have to leave him alone
The RQUMM recommends anyone who sees a pup to keep a distance of at least 50 meters and even leave the area to allow the mother to pick up her pup.
The group also asks that the seal not be fed and reminded that it is illegal to handle or interact with it in any way.
Mr. Weldon argues that human compliance with these instructions can greatly affect the survival of the animal.
“The challenge in situations like this is reminding people to use good coexistence practices. In order to cause them as little stress as possible, they should not be disturbed.