Matthew McConaughey Comes to the Rescue of a Seal Pup in Malibu

Looks like Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey can add his name to the growing list of celebrities who have a soft spot for animals, as he recently stopped a group of kids from poking and prodding a seal pup with a stick on a Malibu beach.

McConaughey was out surfing when he noticed the children annoying the baby seal. He quickly approached the group, and proceeded to spend the next half hour telling them exactly why their behavior was unacceptable.

According to a Hollywood News source, “Matthew told the kids the seal wasn’t hurt, it was resting and sunning itself – and that young pups do this all the time while the mother seal swims close by until they are ready to re-enter the sea.” The source also stated that “after a 20-minute lecture on sea life, the kids were so anxious to get away that they didn’t even bother to pose for a photo.”

While the kids’ behavior was not believed to be actively malicious – more foolish and ill-advised – their repeated poking and prodding could easily have killed the baby seal.

If you happen to come across a marine animal who may be hurt or stranded, the best course of action to follow is to watch it from a distance, and look for any injuries or strange markings. If the animal is in visible distress, call a dedicated marine animal rescue center. Some good examples would be the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) National Enforcement Hotline, the NMFS Southeast Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline, or the West Coast Region Stranding Hotline. And remember, as McConaughey pointed out to the kids, touching or moving the animal yourself is not advisable.

Image source: Matthew McConaughey / Facebook