Harbour seals spend equal time in and out of the water and can be seen off Point Holmes and along the
Campbell River shoreline at low tide when they look like bananas perched atop a rock as they bask in
the sun.

Harbour seal pups are born on land and can crawl to the water and swim right after their birth. Pups
can weigh up to 30 pounds at birth (adults can weigh up to 180 pounds); premature births are quite
frequent, and their white or “lanugo” coats easily identify these pups.

Female seals will leave their babies to go hunting on the high tide and will return at low tide to
nurse the pup. This is often mistaken for the mother abandoning the pup.

Pups need the antibodies that are found in the mothers’ milk to help boost their immune system, and if
the mother is scared away by humans or dogs, she may not return to her pup.

Do not approach seal pups on the beach. Please call MARS (1-800-304-9968)to report seals that may need
help, and keep children and dogs away from the pups. ~ Sandy Fairfield, Comox Valley Record

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