- What do I have to do?
- How do I safeguard the animal, the public and myself?
- Where do I call for help?
- Does this animal need medical care?
What do i have to do when I see a seal that has been washed ashore?
There are several things you have to do. First of all safeguard the surrounding. Take care of your own safety,the safety of any bystanders and the animals' safety. Then call for professional help. Stay with the animal, but keep distance. Professionals will tell you what to do at their arrival.
How do I safeguard the animal, the public and myself?
Take care of the following security measures:
- Keep children away from the animal at a safe distance.
- Keep dogs on the leash and at a safe distance.
- Tell people to stay away from the animal.
- Do not play any games and do not play close to the animal. Respect the animals' territory.
- Do not start to call or yell. Do not give the animal a fright.
- Do not approach the animal. Do not come close to the animal. Terrified animals can become aggressive.
- Never touch the animal as you do not know whether it carries any pathogenic organism. The slightest touch can give the animal pain or may frighten it. Pain and fear can caused (unexpected) aggressive behavior.
Where do I call for help?
First take care of
security measures
. Make sure that everyone in the surrounding as well as the animal stays safe while calling for help. You can call any of the following organisations for professional help. Look for a (medical) aid station in the area you are in.
- Coast guard
- A naval station
- An animal rehabilitation center
- An oceanarium, zoological garden or zoo
- A veterinarian or animal clinic
- An animal protection society
After you called for professional help, assistance will come soon. At arrival the professionals will tell you what to do. Stay in distance, but keep an eye on the animal. Report its behavior or changes that occur while waiting. Do not call the contacted organisation: they are on their way to you.
Does this seal need medical care?
A seal that has been washed ashore might need medical care. As you are not the professional. Better do not decide yourself whether the animal needs any medical care. Seals come ashore to rest, to haul out and to bear. But a seal that has been washed ashore might need help. Ill and wounded animals need help anyway. By giving them medical aid we can safe this marine mammal from death and its species from extinct. There is not always a obvious reason for illness, like major injuries. The seal might be worn out by hardship or might have a (viral) infection. Medical care means that the seal is medically treated and as soon as possible will be replaced in its natural environment. It is not kept in confinement.