The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources has warned the public to refrain from approaching wandering seals in public spaces or on beaches because they are dangerous.

Seals use the period from November to February to gather at specific spots along the coast to breed and mate.

However, they may be found anywhere on the beach resting or may appear disturbed, starved, weak, or lost.

The Ministry warns the public not to disturb pups that may look lost on the beach or in the streets because their mothers may be in the process of relocating them.

The presence of random seal carcasses should not cause alarm, as the Ministry has a program to monitor such conditions and attend to any abnormalities.

To report any seal sightings at the coast, the public can call the Ministry of Fisheries at (641) 410-1000 or 1218.