{"id":1173,"date":"2009-06-25T01:16:10","date_gmt":"2009-06-25T08:16:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thefreequark.com\/?p=1173"},"modified":"2018-10-02T19:06:48","modified_gmt":"2018-10-02T19:06:48","slug":"if-its-a-marine-mammal-its-100-yards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ingridtaylar.com\/?p=1173","title":{"rendered":"Marine Mammal Viewing — From a Distance"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Hugh and I had another wildlife harassment incident this past week with a family on the Mendocino coast. We hiked over an unpopulated bluff and saw a mom and kids chasing a young sea lion across the rocks for a photo op. Their actions were forcing the young animal away from her resting spot, as she struggled to climb over each obstacle in her way.<\/p>\n

It took me five minutes to descend to the spot where dad was waiting behind, all the while watching mom chase the frightened animal farther and farther toward the water. I finally reached him and let him know there’s a recognized recommended distance for marine mammal viewing — 100 yards and at bare minimum, 50 yards. Thankfully, he reeled mom in but not before she’d effectively spooked this sea lion back into the water.<\/p>\n

I took this from the bluff with my long lens, just before she disappeared.<\/i><\/p>\n

\"Sea

Sea Lion Harassed by Tourists<\/p><\/div>\n

A few months ago, we were near a known Harbor Seal nursery in Sonoma County. Watching from the cliff-side overlook, we saw a couple approaching the seals on the beach — again, for a photo op — scaring young seals into the water. At this particular beach a large sign at the trail head expressly cautions visitors to keep their distance from this sensitive area where the Harbor Seals nurse their young.<\/p>\n

\"Harbor

Harbor Seal Nursery Guidelines<\/p><\/div>\n

There’s nothing you can do from that distant cliff but watch and hope someone on the beach notices. Luckily, another visitor did apparently say something because the couple backed off.<\/p>\n

\"Tourists<\/p>\n

Most of the time, there’s no malice involved. People simply want to interact, not realizing what appropriate boundaries are. With respect to marine mammals, NOAA has a good overview of Marine Wildlife Viewing Guidelines<\/a>. \u00a0Wild animals deserve space and respect. Binoculars, scopes and telephoto lenses are still the best way to appreciate them.<\/p>\n

“Is it Okay to Pet a Sea Lion?”<\/h3>\n

We were watching the news\u00a0one morning after a young sea lion had been rescued from a freeway in the Bay Area. The morning weather person asked if it’s okay to “pet a sea lion.” I wish the anchors had used it as an opportunity to cite what the law really is regarding marine mammals. The best policy comes from a 2006 Marine Mammal Center campaign which states simply “Leave Seals Be.”<\/p>\n

If you find a marine mammal you suspect is ill or in trouble, don’t try to take care of the animal yourself. Call the Marine Mammal Center’s<\/a> hotline: (415) 289-SEAL.<\/i><\/p>\n