Why Seals Are Showing Up On South Jersey Beaches With Orange Heads
Have you spotted a seal with an orange or even pink head on a South Jersey beach this winter?
First of all - make sure you STAY AWAY from those seals. Actually, you need to stay at least 150 feet away from ANY seals you might see on the beach.
Now, the orange or pink heads? There's a good reason for that, according to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine. According to officials at the center, they check out as many seals on the beach as they can, to make sure they are healthy, and OK to head back to the water. If a seal is determined to be OK, Stranding Center volunteers mark the head of the seal with a non-toxic, neon grease pencil.
The number given each seal makes it easier to track if the seal is spotted again. The pink or orange color is used so it isn't confused with the color of blood.