Animal experts have told people countless times to leave wild animals alone — but it seems like no one is listening.

Across the Pacific Northwest, at least two seal pups have died after well-meaning people illegally picked up the animals on five occasions this summer, said Michael Milstein, a spokesman with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

State wildlife officials had to euthanize a harbor seal pup after a Washington woman picked it up and carried it home in a tote bag. The sea mammal was unresponsive and lethargic after the uninvited trip.(nydailynews.com)…[+]