by Gina Scialabba
Seals and sea lions. They’re so darn cute frolicking out there in the wild. What’s not to love? They’re intelligent, playful and endearingly noisy. You almost want to cuddle with them. But DON’T. They are not your pets. That’s the message the Marine Mammal Center, headquartered in the Marin Headlands, wants the public to know.
In the spring, the center launched its annual Leave Seals Be campaign to remind people along the Central and Northern California Coast to not pick up or disturb any seals or sea lions they might encounter because the animals could be sick or injured. But the center still wants beachcombers to be aware that through July, California sea lions will be giving birth to their pups.
Around now, "The young pups may begun to forage on their own and beachgoers may come across them," said Jim Oswald, the center's public relations manager.
Marine mammals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. It’s actually a crime to harm or harass these animals. Violations can come with some hefty fines.