BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Another reminder to keep your distance from marine life, especially mammals, you may encounter on local beaches.

A malnourished harbor seal pup found Sunday, June 21 at Marine Park in Fairhaven has been rescued and is being rehabilitated in Des Moines, WA.

Veterinarians at SeaLife Response, Rehab and Research who are caring for the pup say it was likely separated from its mother after people got too close.

The organization’s executive director Casey McLean tells KOMO News that adult harbor seals are skittish around humans and may abandon their young.

She says this is the eighth seal pup they’ve rescued around the region in recent weeks.

They hope to be able to release the pup back into the wild in about three months.