MARSHFIELD –– The New England Aquarium’s marine animal rescue team moved a healthy gray seal pup resting on a Marshfield beach Friday to a more secluded spot after beach-goers tried to move it back into the water.



The 40-pound female had also been closely approached by people and dogs. Aquarium spokesman Tony LaCasse said when biologists arrived, the young seal was shivering with fear, had labored breathing and showed signs of major stress.



LaCasse said the seal was most likely born in January on a small offshore island south of Cape Cod. Its mother would have nursed it for three to four weeks and then left on its own.



This post-weaning period when the pup is learning how to forage and find its own food is a critical period when the animal’s health is highly vulnerable, and it needs lots of rest, LaCasse said. Seals regularly haul out of the water to sleep and bask in the sun.



When first seen in the morning, the pup was alert and bright. LaCasse said that within a few hours, it was suffering from potentially life-threatening stress.



The aquarium recommends watching any resting seal quietly from a distance of at least 150 feet. Dogs should be leashed.

If any animal appears sick, call the aquarium’s hotline at 617-973-5247 or local animal control.