Can seals be aggressive to humans?

Answer 1

As with most wild animals seals do not like being approached by what they perceive as a threat, particularly when they have young. The male or bull seal will charge if a threat comes too close. In New Zealand a male Elephant seal went on a rampage, attacking nearby parked cars.

Answer 2

Firstly, Never get in the water with seals. Seals are large, wild animals and can be extremely dangerous. If they feel threatened they may become aggressive in order to defend themselves.

Seals can also bite! So be careful, as serious infections can be transmitted to you or your pet.

Secondly, stay at least 50 yards away from resting seals. Seals that are continually being approached, never get the chance to rest. Repeated interaction can exhaust seals, leaving them vulnerable to predation and illness.

Increased contact with people will eventually lead seals to habituate to humans. Habituated seals are more likely to suffer from negative human interactions and less likely to avoid dangerous situations. Continued disturbance of mother /pup pairs could lead to abandonment and subsequent mortality of the pup.

Harassment Warning Signs:

If your presence causes any of the following reactions, on land or in the water, you are too close.

• Increased vocalizations by seals
  
• Movement back into the water (single animal or the herd)
  
• All eyes are on you (single animal or several in the herd)
• Disturbance from normal resting position (lifting their head to watch you)

Answer 3

No, they are one of the most deadliest mammals in the ocean. They pray on larger animals such as Great White Sharks, sea lions, and are often known to kill humans.

Answer 4

No if humans would leave them alone they wouldn't cause harm.

Answer 5

Harbour seals and others are not aggressive while swimming, but many seals and sea lions are aggressive if you get too close to their habitat.

Answer 6

Not all but some are.