New England Beachgoers Warned: Don’t Take Selfies With Seals

BOSTON (AP) — The feds have a warning for beachgoers in New England over Memorial Day weekend: Don’t take selfies with the seals.

Federal officials say people who approach a seal pup can put both themselves and the animal at risk.

In a statement Thursday, the Greater Atlantic Region of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries said it’s not unusual for a mother seal to leave her pup on the beach for up to 24 hours while she feeds. But if the mother sees people near her pup, she might feel it is too dangerous to return and abandon her young.

The statement also notes that wild animals act unpredictably and seals can leave a “lasting impression” with their powerful jaws.