RIGA, Feb 27 (LETA) - With the approach of spring, the first seal pup of the season has been spotted in the port area of Latvia's western seaside city of Ventspils, Baiba Ralle, a spokeswoman for the Nature Conservation Agency, informed LETA.

The agency notes that seal pups appearing on the Baltic seaside is a natural occurrence and that in most cases the baby seals need no human assistance, as they come ashore just to bask in the sun and grow stronger, so people are asked not to approach the animals and keep dogs away from them.

Only seal pups that look weakened or injured should be reported to the Nature Conservation Agency, which in cooperation with local authorities will assess the situation, and if necessary, deliver the seal pup to Riga Zoo for treatment.

In harsh winters, when large ice fields form in the sea, seal pups usually stay on them or off Estonian islands. On the other hand, in years when ice cover is patchy or absent, wind and currents are more likely to drive the seals ashore with the ice chunks.

If ice cover remains stable for a long time this spring, the Nature Conservation Agency expects fewer pups to come ashore along the Gulf of Riga coast, while a higher concentration is expected off the western coast in Kurzeme, where they arrive from Estonia's western islands and ice fields.

Seals that are separated from their mothers too early are particularly vulnerable because they have not had time to absorb enough blubber to survive in cold water. If a seal pup with the remains of its fluff is spotted on the beach, it is strictly forbidden to chase it back into the sea or touch it, as it regains vital energy on the shore.

Distress caused by human attention and dog attacks is the most serious threat to weakened seal pups resting on the shore. Dogs must be kept on a leash during walks to prevent them from biting a seal, which can be fatal for the animal. Approaching seal pups is also a threat to dogs, as seals can carry diseases that are dangerous to both pets and humans, and they are sharp-toothed predators that can seriously injure a potential attacker, the spokeswoman for the Nature Conservation Agency said.

She also warned against approaching seal pups for taking photos or selfies, as unwanted attention causes stress and threatens the seal pup's survival.