In Canada we hear lots about the seal populations off the coast of our neighbouring east coast province of Newfoundland but there are actually many seals to be found in the Bay of Fundy. Grey seals (pictured here) and Harbour seals live here all year long and, at this time of year, the Bay is home to Harp seals and occasionally Hooded seals when they drop by to have their pups.
Of these four seals, only the number of harbour seals is declining; the other three are on a bold increase - to the point that they are in danger of threatening populations of other fish. There are an estimated 300,000 grey seals in the region, 5 to 6 million harp seals and about 500,000 hooded seals.
Contrary to their cute puppy-dog faces, seals are actually quite agressive - they are OK to view basking along Fundy shoals but only from a distance!
(see last year's post showing the repatriation of a Grey seal that had 'walked' 10 km in shore)
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Springtime seal visits
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3 comments:
I plan to visit the Bay of Fundy the last week of April. Will I be able to see whales there from the shore?
Great to hear that they are at least thriving in Nova Scotia!
ahem well we locals are not necessarily jumping up and down with joy about this ever-expanding seal population. Yes, they have the cute factor, but they eat ALOT of fish, which impacts the vitality (and ultimately the survival) of our many rural communities....
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