West Seattle snow: Christmas seal

December 21, 2008 at 4:03 pm | In West Seattle news, West Seattle weather, Wildlife | 17 Comments

This little guy merits its own post. Thanks to Bob for that photo from Lincoln Park. Remember – keep your distance; mom is usually coming back for baby after catching food. (Not sure what the fluorescent thing by its neck is – hope it’s not a sign of trouble.)

17 Comments

  1. Hi. Any chance Rob could blow up the picture to get a better look at the flourescent item on or near the seal’s neck? It would be great to be able to rule out anything of danger. Thanks for providing the pic!

    Comment by LM — December 21, 08 4:19 pm #

  2. I was going to send him a note back to ask if he knows more about it – stand by

    Comment by WSB — December 21, 08 4:24 pm #

  3. That looks like a fishhook stuck in it’s head. :(

    Comment by ellenater — December 21, 08 4:25 pm #

  4. After a closer zoom, I don’t think it’s attached to it’s head. :)

    Comment by ellenater — December 21, 08 4:27 pm #

  5. Well, i hope the off-leash dog jerks will stay the hell away. have the seal-watch people been notified? i don’t know how to contact them.

    Comment by B-squared — December 21, 08 4:38 pm #

  6. http://sealsitters.org

    Comment by WSB — December 21, 08 4:43 pm #

  7. Or, heaven forbid, fishing line with florescent lure, wrapped around its neck.

    Comment by Jo — December 21, 08 4:51 pm #

  8. Thanks to Lana near Lincoln Park for reporting this harbor seal pup with probably a telemetry beacon to Kristin at NOAA, who phoned me at Sealsitters 206-905-7325 at 3:45 PM. Tony Frohoff of Sealsitters is trying to send someone nearby Lincoln Park to get better photo for ID purposes.

    Comment by Larry Carpenter — December 21, 08 4:52 pm #

  9. Does someone put telemetry beacons on them on purpose, or would that be some sort of accident?

    Comment by WSB — December 21, 08 4:57 pm #

  10. We saw the same little guy this morning (alone) in Lincoln Park. He had a florescent tag on his neck and tail. It looked like he had been tagged by wildlife folks. He was so cute, I just about melted!

    Comment by L — December 21, 08 5:04 pm #

  11. I’m a wildlife biologist with Seal Sitters which communicates with NOAA about seals and we want to thank all for the photo and updates. A winter solstice seal surprise! Please know that the best thing everyone can do for the seal is to keep yourself (and dogs) far away from the seal (binoc viewing is ideal). NOAA recommends staying at least 100 yeards away. Generally, if the seal is looking at you, you are already potentially disturbing him/her (which could compromise his welfare, let alone potentially violate a federal law, neither of which would be on anyone’s Xmas list). So if anyone sees the seal, would you be so kind as to call us at 905-SEAL (or go to http://www.sealsitters.org for more info).

    Please only take photos if you have a telephoto and don’t have to linger or make noise – but even better, please call us first! Also, we understand that there is no reason to be concerned about what is likely normal seal behavior and a telemetry device on this seal used by government-associated biologists.

    The seals are so lucky to have such community support. Thanks to all who have shared and to the folks at West Seattle Blog for doing such a great job for the seals … and for us all … even in this blizzard! Happy holidays!

    Comment by Toni Frohoff, Ph.D. — December 21, 08 5:20 pm #

  12. Responding to WSB: Toni Frohoff told me that there are various electronic devices used by NOAA to track marine mammals. This looks like a telemetry beacon device.

    Comment by Larry Carpenter — December 21, 08 5:24 pm #

  13. Thanks, Larry. Glad to hear it may not be a sign of trouble.

    Comment by WSB — December 21, 08 5:39 pm #

  14. Nice job of compassion, guess everyone who owns a dog is a “jerk”?!
    .
    “Well, i hope the off-leash dog jerks will stay the hell away. have the seal-watch people been notified? i don’t know how to contact them.
    .
    Comment by B-squared — December 21, 08 4:38 pm #”

    Comment by Scott — December 21, 08 6:30 pm #

  15. I love the west seattle blog!!!! You guys are awesome.

    Comment by M — December 21, 08 6:38 pm #

  16. “Nice job of compassion, guess everyone who owns a dog is a “jerk”?!”

    He didn’t say everyone, just the off-leash owners. If I see your dog is off-leash and running around disrupting our seals and other wildlife, I’m going to call you a jerk and a lot worse things.

    Comment by dan — December 21, 08 6:57 pm #

  17. We have had the off-leash vs. leash discussion in the forum a hundred times — I request that we please move it there if you would like to discuss the nuances.
    http://westseattleblog.com/blog/forum
    This post is about a baby seal on the beach. It’s illegal for dogs to be off-leash on Seattle beaches. Tempers are short with this weather keeping us all stuck inside. Again, valid topic to discuss, but not in comments on a news item, please. Thanks – TR

    Comment by WSB — December 21, 08 7:01 pm #

Sorry, after 3 weeks of commentlessness, comment time is over.

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