Seal Euthanised After Being Taken From Beach In Plastic Bag

A seal has been euthanised after it was illegally taken from a beach by humans and placed in a plastic bag.

According to NOAA Fisheries, a U.S. Federal Environment Agency, the seal pup was taken from a beach in Westport, Washington and was euthanised after it became unresponsive when discovered in a plastic bag.

The tragic death is just one of four recent incidents where seals have been illegally taken.

Reports say that another pup died earlier this month, and one animal has since been taken to a rehabilitation centre.

In a statement, NOAA fisheries spokesman Michael Milstein said: ‘The best thing people can do to help marine mammals on the beach is to leave them alone, staying 100 yards away if possible.’

‘Disturbing, feeding or attempting to move young seals or other marine mammals is illegal because it can stress the animals, interfere with their natural behavior and cause adult seals to abandon their pups. The Marine Mammal Protection Act protects all marine mammals from harassment.’

According to the NOAA, huge numbers of seal pups are born on the Washington Coast at this time of year, but up to half of the new arrivals will not survive their first year.

They say that leaving the animals alone greatly increases their chances of survival.

Warning against touching the animals, a local police department tweeted: ‘Baby seals on the beach. Don’t mess with them! Mommy usually abandons them if you do. Federally protected as well.’