Seal pup on rocky beach?

[flobadob]

We were going fishing yesterday and we saw a seal pup on a rocky little beach on our way over to our fishing spot. It seemed to be a little breathless to me but it may just have been its natural breathing. Anyway it was sitting about 50 metres from the sea. Me and my mate got some water in an empty milk carton and threw it at the seal which then started to make its way towards the water, then in, and eventually swam off. My mate thought that it looked to be shedding its fur, is this something that seals do? We weren't too sure if it was there by choice or disorientated. It has been really nice weather but was also windy recently so we weren't sure if perhaps it was thrown onto the rocks. What do you think about the fur and was it there on purpose?

[wildwood]

Was possibly chased/attacked by a shark or other large predator. They can freak out for a long time and may have just kept swimming until it found dry land where it feels safe.

Seals do molt, but usually during the breeding period when they are out of the water.

[borealis]

Depends how big a pup. Grey seal or common?

[237SJ]

It was probably a young seal that was shedding it`s baby coat

[flobadob]

I assume it was a baby. I put a video onto youtube if anyone wants to look. Beware, there is some slightly coarse language. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PleOqyeEXE

[jomifl]

Could you possibly have left it alone, was it in danger? Where else would a mother seal leave its pup? It looks as if the tide had gone out and most likely would have come in again as it usually does. Re. the fur, I looks as if it was losing its baby coat.

[flobadob]

Maybe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PleOqyeEXE