Seriously, folks. They look adorably puppy-cute and helpless, but if they're touched by humans, their mothers will abandon them. They usually go back out with the tide anyway.
Great article that more people need to be informed about. Also important to note that harbor seals are at carrying capacity in the Puget Sound which means it is natural for up to half of the pups of a year to die, a fact of nature.
@4 Most birds, save for kiwis and vultures, lack a sense of smell by which to reject "tainted" chicks, but it's still not a good idea. What's more likely to happen is you'll be attacked by the parents, and you more than likely won't be able to get to the nest to return the chick anyway. Chicks fall out of nests, and often it's necessary in order to maintain the selection pressure for vigorous hatchlings- the weak, or late-hatching ones are culled by their own siblings' jostling. Returning it to the nest jeopardizes the entire brood, because the parents aren't evolutionarily prepared for that workload as the chicks mature. If you have the resources to nurture a fallen chick yourself, that's a different story (and possibly illegal, depending on species), but it still shoudn't go back to the nest.
That's bullshit but seriously, look but don't touch.
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news…
It's what seals crave!
Thrill needs a new Winter Coat. I already got a bat.