First seal of the season spotted on Ocean City beach

The first seal of the season was spotted yesterday on Ocean City’s shores.

Tuesday, Jan. 12, a caller reported the seal on the beach, Ocean City Police Department spokeswoman Lindsay Richard confirmed. It was sometime in the early afternoon, she thought. Animal Control was called in to make sure the seal wasn't injured, she said.

These sightings aren’t unusual in the resort town, Richard said, during these months while the seals are migrating. The animals often hop up onto the beach during migration to rest, she added.

“Citizens should expect to see more seals as we get further into the winter months,” she said.

There’s no need to call the sightings in to police, Richard said, unless there appears to be something wrong with the seal. If a person notices obvious signs of distress, illness or injury, then they should reach out and report it, she said.

They can do so by calling the non-emergency number at 410-723-6600.

The biggest thing people need to remember, Richard said, is to only view the seals from afar.

“They are a federally protected species,” she said, "and it’s against the law to approach them."