Seal Rescue Ireland has sent out urgent advice to the public as many seal pups are being found laying on beaches across the East Coast.
Dublin has been hit with very stormy conditions and choppy seas this week leading to a number of them being found across the capital.
As Storm Lorenzo rolls in, many more are expected - but before doing anything the experts want you to know most are perfectly fine and should be left alone.
Seal Rescue Ireland say that grey seal pups tend to pop up over the Autumn months, and that it's normal for mums to leave them on the beach.
The cute little critters, which have a coat of fur when they're born, stay on land for around three weeks while their mums go out and get the food.
Many have been cropping up this week leading to concerns from the public that they're abandoned as it's coinciding with the rough conditions.
In one recent case, a seal was spotted alone in Bray before an adult came back and tended to it.
Many were worried that people might have tried to approach the pup, and this could have caused its mother to abandon it.
Locals took it into their own hands to cordon the spot off and gardai sent out a message asking people to leave the animals in peace.
They said: "We have been asked that the public be made aware of a seal pup resting on Bray beach, most likely left by his mother until the weather calms down.
"Advice from Seal Rescue Ireland is to stay away and let nature take its course. Keep dogs on leads and do not approach."
Had the mother been spooked by people and left, the pup would have had very little chance of surviving on its own.
So here's what Seal Rescue Ireland say you should do if you spot one - and how you can evaluate if it needs help or not.
They said: "If you are out on beaches over the coming months please keep an eye out for our flippered friends and by all means appreciate them from a distance, and never hesitate to contact us (087 195 5393) at any time for information if you are worried.
- Do not put the seal in the water. (Injured, sick & newborn pups are on land for a reason)
- Do not disturb them - Observe from a distance.
- Do not touch pups (these animals WILL bite, and human presence may lead to mothers abandoning otherwise healthy pups)
- Keep dogs and children away.
- Take photos! (They help us determine the condition of an animal immediately, and if necessary a rescue can be organised promptly.)
- Grey seal pups have white fur for the first 3 weeks of life and tend to stay on land until they moult to their spotted coat. During this time the mother will leave them for hours at a time alone on the beach. This doesn't mean they are necessarily abandoned!
- Contact us for advice !
** If the pup is on its own with no mum in sight; obviously injured; or if unsure please ring Seal Rescue Ireland on 087 1955 393 **
"These first few weeks of life are delicate, as any interference (from humans and dogs) can lead to a healthy pup being abandoned which leads to a pretty slow and horrible death.
"We don't want to step in unless we have to... mum's do the best job raising their pups, and together we can make sure they remain safe, protected and able to go about natures way without disturbance, however well meaning.
"NOT to mention, seals are capable of giving a seriously bad bite with awful infections requiring very strong and high dose antibiotics... so always best to keep ones distance - they look cute, but don't touch!"
