BASK - Viewing Wildlife

Viewing Wildlife

A simple set of guidlines to use when viewing marine wildlife.

ASS AFAR
Maintain a distance so that animals do not feel threatened. Stay at least 300 feet away (approximately the length of a football field) from seals, birds and other wildlife. It is preferable to paddle at high tide in places like Bolinas Lagoon, because birds feed and seals haul out to rest on the mudflats.

PPROACH PARALLEL
Maintain a parallel course to the animal distribution. This is believed to be less threatening than a direct approach towards the animal. Pass at a constant speed. Do not slow down speed up or swing closer to seals or birds.

ISCRETE VIEWING
Restrain your impulse to get closer: if you get too close, wildlife will leave. As you pass, do not engage in any "stalking" activity, or attempt to approach animals undetected. If you wish to observe wildlife behavior, use binoculars or a camera with a 500mm or longer lens.

EFER IMMEDIATELY
If seals begin lifting their heads, or birds begin moving away or flapping their wings, retreat from the area. If seals stretch out their necks or chests higher in the air, back off immediately. If seals start to move towards the water or enter the water, immediately leave the area to avoid prolonged stress on the animals. Backpaddle away from wildlife instead of turning your boat around.

EAVE ALONE
Do not handle or attempt to "rescue" seal pups that you believe are abandoned or injured. Mother and pup will usually reunite on their own. If you are concerned about a marine mammal, call the Marine Mammal Center at (415) 289-7325. They will notify the appropriate agency or respond directly.

XPLAIN EFFECTS
Tell other paddlers and small boaters how they can help protect wildlife. Marine mammals and migratory birds are protected from harm and harassment by the Endangered Species Act, the National Marine Sanctuary Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Marin County Open Space District Code. It is against the law to harass wildlife. This includes intentionally causing seals or birds to flush.

"PADDLE" is adapted from "Seals and Sea Kayaks" published in the Spring 1991 edition of Sea Kayaker magazine by Winston Shaw, Director, Coastal Maine Bald Eagle Project.
If you want to get a color poster of the Viewing Wildlife guidlines developed by several organizations including California Fish & Game, Marin County Open Space, Farallones Marine Sanctuary and BASK, it is available in PDF format by clicking here. If you would like a smaller, postcard size version click here.
The PDF versions will download onto your computer where you will need a copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader to display them on your screen or print them on your printer. This is a free program which can be downloaded by clicking on the following button:

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	ASS AFAR Maintain a distance so that animals do not feel threatened. Stay at least 300 feet away (approximately the length of a football field) from seals, birds and other wildlife. It is preferable to paddle at high tide in places like Bolinas Lagoon, because birds feed and seals haul out to rest on the mudflats.
	PPROACH PARALLEL Maintain a parallel course to the animal distribution. This is believed to be less threatening than a direct approach towards the animal. Pass at a constant speed. Do not slow down speed up or swing closer to seals or birds.
	ISCRETE VIEWING Restrain your impulse to get closer: if you get too close, wildlife will leave. As you pass, do not engage in any "stalking" activity, or attempt to approach animals undetected. If you wish to observe wildlife behavior, use binoculars or a camera with a 500mm or longer lens.
	EFER IMMEDIATELY If seals begin lifting their heads, or birds begin moving away or flapping their wings, retreat from the area. If seals stretch out their necks or chests higher in the air, back off immediately. If seals start to move towards the water or enter the water, immediately leave the area to avoid prolonged stress on the animals. Backpaddle away from wildlife instead of turning your boat around.
	EAVE ALONE Do not handle or attempt to "rescue" seal pups that you believe are abandoned or injured. Mother and pup will usually reunite on their own. If you are concerned about a marine mammal, call the Marine Mammal Center at (415) 289-7325. They will notify the appropriate agency or respond directly.
	XPLAIN EFFECTS Tell other paddlers and small boaters how they can help protect wildlife. Marine mammals and migratory birds are protected from harm and harassment by the Endangered Species Act, the National Marine Sanctuary Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Marin County Open Space District Code. It is against the law to harass wildlife. This includes intentionally causing seals or birds to flush.