Today and tomorrow, Seal Days will take place at the Riga National Zoo, reported the zoo's historical information specialist Maris Lielkalns to the LETA agency.
Seal Days are held because in March, seal pups can increasingly be seen along the coastal waters.
During Seal Days, there will be an opportunity to learn more about the lives of seals, their development, and challenges in the wild, as well as to receive practical advice on what to do if you encounter a seal pup on the beach.
Spring is the season for seals when they give birth to pups and take their first steps towards independence. Although there are no seal pups at the zoo this year, Seal Days will allow visitors to get closer to grey seals, learn about their daily lives, habits, and adaptations to life in the water.
When encountering a seal pup on the shore, the most important thing is to not approach and to maintain a distance of at least 50 meters.
For seal pups, the beach is a resting place where they regain strength before returning to the sea. When walking a dog along the shore, it must be kept on a leash.
If a seal pup encountered is injured or severely emaciated, it is necessary to report this to the Nature Conservation Administration. Approaching or attempting to help on your own can cause more harm than good.
The Riga National Zoo has been involved in seal rehabilitation for a long time, collaborating with coastal municipalities and the Nature Conservation Administration.
Both emaciated and injured seal pups are brought to the zoo. After recovery and weight gain, they are released back into the sea.
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