Keep your distance – 100m or more – even if a seal looks injured. Use binoculars if needed.
📌 Physical Signs of Illness or Injury
- Labored breathing: Rapid, shallow, or struggling to breathe; coughing and high, hunched back
- Dry or crusted eyes: Could indicate dehydration or malnutrition; healthy seals have wetness around their eyes
- Lying flat/stretched out & unresponsive: Especially if paired with unusual stillness
- Visible injuries or bleeding: Open wounds, deep cuts, swellings on the face or flippers
- Extremely thin appearance: If the neck is clearly visible or the body shows skin folds that are not filled out, it’s likely underweight
- Unusually low aggression: Seals instinctively defend themselves or flee; if one seems too passive, it may be too weak to react
- Continuous shivering (longer than 15 min): Could be in a weakened state; shivering can be a sign of stress, so try to move back first!
⚠️ Dangerous Situations
- Tangled or trapped: Stuck in nets, debris, or anything wrapped around neck/body; trapped in a crack or other unusual place
- Recently attacked by a dog or another animal: Even minor wounds can turn serious
🍼 Seal Pups in Trouble
- A lone pup (observed over time): If the mother hasn’t returned within 24 hours, the pup may be orphaned
- Picked up or harrassed by people: The mother may abandon her pup if people picked it up, moved it, or are close to it
📞 What Next? If you notice any of these signs, stay back (minimum 100m) and call a rescue center immediately. Never try to move or help the seal yourself – it needs expert care. Check the Steps to Take for more details!
1. Keep Your Distance
Stay at least 100 meters (330 feet) away. Seals can be easily startled, and approaching too closely might scare them back into the water, squandering their chance to get help.
2. Observe and Assess
From a distance (use binoculars if needed), note the seal’s condition and behavior:
- Does it have visible wounds or entanglement?
- Does is look sick or malnourished?
- Is it a seal pup alone and in a bad condition?
3. Contact a Rescue Center
Immediately call a local rescue organization or marine mammal hotline. You can use our map or directory of rescue centers, or
- In the UK: Call BDMLR (+44 1825 765546) for help from trained marine mammal medics.
- In the US: Look at the NOAA Fisheries Stranding Network for expert assistance.
- Notify docents, seal guards, or conservation volunteers if they are present in the area
4. Provide Clear Information
Rescuers need precise details to locate and assess the seal:
- Describe the problem (injury, orphaned, entangled, distressed, harrassed).
- Share the exact location using What3Words, GPS, or landmarks.
- Let the rescuers know if the seal is alone or in a group or colony.
5. Ensure Safety for Both Seal and People
Be aware that the seal can’t get help if it is scared away into the water, and that seals in distress might bite.
- Warn other visitors to stay back.
- Keep dogs on a leash and prevent them from approaching.
- Do not touch, move, or pour water on the seal.
6. Follow Expert Instructions
The rescue team might advise waiting nearby if you can, or taking specific action before they arrive. Listen carefully and do as directed.
💡 Be prepared: If you live in an area with seals and want to be all set up to help, consider saving the number of a local seal rescue center in your contacts for quick access, and maybe install the What3Words app to be able to provide precise location data.
💔 Not every seal can be saved. Some are stranded in places rescuers can’t reach, in tight colonies, or too remote to transport. In these cases, experts may only be able to monitor from a distance and maybe wait for a better chance.