Today, in a press release, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) informed about the importance of not taking selfies with seals. The consideration was made given that the pupping season will begin soon in New England.
The agency stated that taking selfies with wild animals creates a danger atmosphere both for the human and the animal. Several reports of injuries related to the proximity of people to seals have been received by the NOAA in the last few years. Most of this cases are linked with the trend to take pictures close to the animal, a stressful and threatening situation for most wild animals.
Taking selfies with wild animals and especially seals can cause some severe effects we may not know about.
What are the risks in taking selfies with the wild animals?
In the particular case of seals, once a mother seal notices the presence of humans around her young pup while she is away, she may consider the environment in that area is not safe anymore, and she will probably abandon the pup, creating severe consequences for the development of that seal pup.
Also, when wild animals feel stressed or threatened their conduct is most likely unpredictable, so aggressions are a possible response. Seals have a strong bone structure and dangerous jaws that can produce devastating injuries.
“The best thing you can do if you want to help is keep away from the animal and keep your pets away from it, so the mother has a chance to return,” said the program coordinator for NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Region.
In New England, during pupping season, gray seals and harbor seals are the two kinds that are most often spotted. Cape Cod is the area where these animals can be seen more frequently, according to the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown.
No More Seal Selfies, Says NOAA https://t.co/zQMxfAqAsW
— Ed Yong (@edyong209) May 30, 2016
‘Leave Wild Animals Alone’
Both animals and humans endangered
‘No selfies with seals,’ wildlife officials say https://t.co/uGgyLVqlsB pic.twitter.com/LM4NwXUI2m
— Boston.com (@BostonDotCom) May 26, 2016
Parks and zoos across the world are closing its doors due to the increasing amount of accidents with visitors, as a result of dangerous attempts to take photos with bears, bull runs, and other wild animals. In Colorado, a park was closed because it was impossible for the authorities to control the selfie-taking movement that put in danger both bears and visitors.
Source: Teen Vogue