Baby seals, also called whitecoats, were seen on the Brittany coast this fall.

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JP Coeffet / French Biodiversity Office

Images that do good in this troubled period.

Last week, members of the Iroise Marine Natural Park saw the first “whitecoats” of this year 2020 off the coast of Finistère.

These baby seals born a few days ago usually keep their white clothes for three to five weeks, before moulting and putting on their thick breastplate.

In a message posted on its Facebook page, the organization explains that its young do not come from female seals living in Brittany, but that they “probably” come from mothers from British colonies that have taken up residence on the coast of Finistère.

GPS beacons placed on certain animals enabled the Iroise Marine Natural Park to identify the route of the females.

These young seals are currently breastfed by their mother, before learning to fish alone when they have put on their waterproof coat.

In its message, the marine park also alerts the inhabitants, inviting them not to approach the animals, even if the latter sometimes venture on the beaches in autumn and winter.

“They're just resting!

Do not try to put it back in the water, keep your dog on a leash and at a distance and do not touch the animal, it is wild, ”warns the park.

A young seal rescued by professionals

If you are lucky enough to live less than a kilometer from the sea and observe a seal that is thin or in difficulty, you can contact Océanopolis on 02 98 34 40 51. The structure located in Brest is the regional reference for the network. national Echouage and is home to the marine mammals and birds conservation association (ACMOM) which welcomes animals.

In recent days, its teams have picked up a young gray seal in difficulty on a beach in southern Finistère.

The animal, visibly weakened, will spend a few weeks in care before being released at sea. It is the 667th resident of the care center bringing together Océanopolis, Bretagne Vivant, the LPO and the Breton mammalogical group.

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