New seal updates: Hurt pup rescued, dead seal found

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

From West Seattle photojournalist Matt Durham:

Today at approximately 9:45 a.m., a seal pup was rescued next to the Don Armeni Boat Launch. The seal pup was suffering from an injured fin and was not mobile. Two parks department employees, along with a seal rescue group (did not acquire its name), corralled the pup into a large dog crate and transported the seal to a facility where it will receive medical attention.

At this point there is no information linking this seal pup’s injury to the fisherman [from last weekend’s reports] or his net. This cannot be ruled out though. …

Yesterday morning (Wednesday), while I was running, the parks department was at the Don Armeni Boat Launch waiting to assist the removal of an adult seal carcass from the landing. That is four seal casualties in less than two weeks.

One of those seal deaths was reported only at WSB.

The House October 25, 2007 (8:45 pm)

I’ve taken enough. I’ve read all of these seal posts for the past few months and can’t believe everyone. WHY DO THE SEALS GET ALL THE ATTENTION?? There are 32,000 of them in Puget Sound alone. WHY AREN’T YOU CARING ABOUT THE PYGMY RABBIT???? They are at critical numbers and we must save them or our entire well being on the planet might be threatened. The seals are important, but pygmy rabbits are where it’s at.

Please read up on them here:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/diversty/soc/pygmy_rabbit/index.htm

Save the world. Maker it a better place. For you and for me and the entire human race.

Jenny October 25, 2007 (11:47 pm)

Awwwww, they’re CUUUUTE! Cuter even than the seals!

I must admit, I’m torn about the seals. Sure they’re cute and all, and they’re fellow mammals, and they’re somewhat intelligent, but they eat our salmon & trout! In terms of sheer numbers our seals are doing just fine, but last I heard our salmon aren’t out of the woods by any means.

p.s. The last thing we need around here is another pest – er, cute little furry animal – that must dig up our backyards to survive. Keep them country critters on the prairie. :-)

Kayleigh October 26, 2007 (4:27 am)

Jenny, what else can they eat? They can’t get into a car and drive to McDonald’s.

How can you be “torn” about any defenseless animal? Are you suggesting it’s OK if the fisherman bash their heads against the boats until they die? Or just that if a few die, it’s OK with you, because you like salmon?

JumboJim October 26, 2007 (10:19 am)

C’mon Jenny, get real! “They eat our salmon and trout!” Who gave you the right to kill or let be killed any animal that eats its natural food – which you just might want for yourself.

Sorry, comment time is over.