If you spend your time exploring the shores of the BC coast, you may have been lucky enough to view all kinds of wildlife.
But you may want to be cautious with one particular marine mammal.
Adult male elephant seals can weigh up to 2,300 kilograms and measure as long as five metres. Staff of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans tell us the seals are going through a moult period right now, and are warning us to keep our distance.
The huge mammals may look slow and harmless, but are capable of moving very quickly and could become dangerous if they feel threatened.
DFO says elephant seals during this time of the year are usually found on land and may look sick or injured, but they are likely moulting.
Moulting is a natural process and the seals should be left alone.
For just over a month the sea mammal is confined to land and spends most of its time sleeping and basking in the sun.
It doesn't eat during this period and may lose up to 25 per cent of its body weight.