Two Men Risk Arrest to Help Baby Seal
@desertdarlene (8910)
United States
May 8, 2008 2:18pm CST
Two men may be arrested for a federal charge for helping a baby seal get disentangled from a fishing net a couple of nights ago.
Sea World could have rescued the baby seal, but were afraid of causing a ruckus with all the other seals that could have injured the one that they were trying to help.
Well, the seal was freed in about 15 seconds and no harm was done, but the men may be in trouble, anyway.
http://www.10news.com/news/16173723/detail.html
3 people like this
6 responses
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
9 May 08
This is a very interesting story and it seems that it will be hard to decide. On the one hand, you have these men who are obviously upset that the Seal is tangled up and want to help in any way that they can. But then you have the Sea World officials whom I assume was asking them to back off, because the park needs to follow a certain procedure.
So were the two men in the wrong? I believe that in this case they were. I am sure that the workers at Sea World did not want to see the Seal all tangled up like that. But at the same time, they did not want to risk causing harm to the other Seals. These two men, obviously took a chance with the safety and welfare of the other Seals.
I think that these men should have done what they were told and left the Seal alone. They did not own the park, nor did they own the Seal. They were wrong. I would hope that they do not get jail time, but they really used bad judgement. They should not have took that chance with someone else's property.
2 people like this
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
9 May 08
In this case, it was not in the park, but a public place. I think this happened in an area called the "Children's Pool" so named because a rich woman had a wall built to block the breakers and allow children to play and swim safely. But, seals have pretty much taken over the whole beach. It's a public beach and wild seals. Sea World was involved because they are often involved with rescuing wildlife.
This whole issue surrounding seals and the Children's Pool has been a hot issue in the area for many years. The wall was built so that people can swim there, but people also like to see the wild seals up close.
1 person likes this
@tonibabe (189)
•
8 May 08
that is disgraceful if those guys get charged. they helped a poor animal in need! people who hurt animals usually get away with it but if you try to help them you get charged that rediculous they should be giving those men medals! they did it so quick so they cant of scared the other seals and they saved the baby one, fair play to the guys!
2 people like this
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
9 May 08
Yeah, they were very quick and all is well. I haven't heard anything new about the story, lately.
@shantiquarian (146)
• United States
30 May 08
HOORAY for caring humans, I would have done the same.
@CinderInMySoul (4717)
• United States
9 May 08
these men did what was right. they helped a fellow creature in need. especially when it was in danger of dying because of OUR NETS/TRASH!!
i can understand that Sea World didnt want to upset the other seals..however what these 2 men did shouldnt have been such an act of genius for the Sea World ppl! these guys went after sundown so most of the animals probably didnt realize what was going on..they freed the baby and got out. it didnt take a team of ppl to do.and of course a big group of ppl would have scared the others, but 2 guys wouldnt have caused a big ruckus, especially since they see ppl all the time there.
there is a line in the article i dont understand.."The seal was born recently at the children's pool in La Jolla, which was one reason people were reluctant to try to help."
if the baby was born THERE..why would that cause the ppl to not want to help? that would make me want to help it more!
1 person likes this
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
9 May 08
There's a big controversy regarding the Children's pool and people using the beach. Some people think the seals need to go because this beach area was constructed for people and there are lots of other places where seals can hang out. Others like the seals there and absolutely hate it if anyone steps onto the beach at all. There's been physical fights over people just being on the beach. So, that's probably why people didn't want to get involved.
@wooitsmolly (3613)
• United States
8 May 08
Sea World is a disgusting joke. *Ahem* Anyway, I think it is a good thing that they helped the seal! I would have done it. I mean, how could you not? Poor thing.
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
8 May 08
A lot of people were feeling pretty helpless when they saw this seal like that. They cheered the men when they cut it loose.
@nova1945 (1612)
• United States
8 May 08
Those men should be given medals. Who wouldn't help an innocent creature in distress?
I'm glad they were sucessful and the seal is well. I hope they don't get into legal trouble for their efforts, but I'll bet they are glad they did it anyway.
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
8 May 08
Yeah, I think everyone around there was happy that they did it and there doesn't seem to be no harm done. I am all for following the law, but I hope that they just get off with a small fine or something. I'd bet they'd think it was worth it.
