Another winter with very poor ice conditions in the Gulf of St. Lawrence means that seals are forced to come to shore to rest. On shore, they are obviously at much greater risk from predators and spectators. Last thing they need is nosy people getting in their faces.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is warning Maritimers to avoid any seals they see on shore.

Harp seals give birth at this time of year, usually on sea ice. But federal scientists expect that because of this year's poor ice conditions, there will be juvenile seals on the shores of Prince Edward Island and the Gulf coast of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

It's normal for seal pups to be abandoned by their mothers before they can fend for themselves but, said DFO spokesperson Chastity MacKinnon, it's important for people and pets to stay away from those pups.

Stay away from seals on shore: DFO
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2011/03/12/ns-s...

Poor ice conditions will take a heavy toll on seal pups in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence again this year, with thousands likely to die.
Poor ice conditions are causing problems for seals for the second year in a row.

Department of Fisheries and Oceans biologist Mike Hammill took a helicopter tour of the Gulf this week. Hammill said the ice pans upon which the seals give birth are small, making it difficult for them to nurse their young.

He expects as many as half the pups born in Atlantic Canada could be lost.

Seal pups suffer poor ice conditions again
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2011/03/15/pei-...