Wild Animal Welfare

Harbor Seal Rehabilitation: Care and Release Protocols

Harbor seals rescued from stranding events require specialized rehabilitation before successful return to the wild.

Key Facts

Harbor seals are the most commonly stranded pinniped on the US Pacific and Atlantic coasts
Pups naturally separated from mothers during storms may appear stranded but are often resting
Rehabilitation centers assess body condition, injuries, and disease before treatment
Successful releases require seals to reach target weight and demonstrate normal foraging behavior
Satellite tags help track post-release survival and movement patterns

Welfare Considerations

Rehabilitation facilities must balance intensive care with minimizing human imprinting. Excessive habituation to people creates animals that approach boats or docks, increasing risk of injury. Best practice involves keeping human contact minimal, housing seals with conspecifics, and providing live fish feeding opportunities before release. Pain management for injured animals uses validated pinniped-specific protocols.

What You Can Do

Never approach or feed a resting seal pup — observe from distance and call wildlife authorities if concerned
Support accredited marine mammal rescue centers through donations
Report entangled or injured seals to local wildlife hotlines immediately
Reduce plastic and fishing line waste that causes entanglement injuries
Advocate for protected haul-out sites free from human disturbance