Followup: Emaciated seal pup ‘Sparkle’ rescued, taken to PAWS

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photo by David Hutchinson; courtesy Seal Sitters)
Over the weekend, we published yet another reminder from Seal Sitters that too much human attention can endanger seal pups now appearing around the Sound, like the newborn pup nicknamed “Sparkle” turned up on a platform off west Alki on Saturday. It was determined Monday, in consultation with state wildlife authorities, that Sparkle’s life was at risk because mom wasn’t coming back, so she was rescued from the private beach near the platform and taken to PAWS. Seal Sitters’ Robin Lindsey explains:

The emaciated newborn is almost certainly a victim of human interference, as the barrage of boater harassment of seals on the raft was virtually non-stop all weekend.

We warn people over and over that a mom will abandon her pup if there is too much disruption from people and dogs. And studies have shown that stress takes a terrible toll on young pups – these animals need to be given the space to rest in peace.

We hope this pup will survive at PAWS, but it will be a tenuous and lengthy rehab. If she makes it through to be released back to the wild, she will never have the advantage of mom’s teachings to help her thrive or even know how to integrate into harbor seal society. This is the sad reality of human interference. Rehab does not guarantee her survival post release. A pup’s best chance to beat the 50% mortality odds is to be raised those first 4-6 precious weeks with mom.

More photos and details are on Seal Sitters’ Blubberblog.

Bonnie August 6, 2013 (8:52 am)

That is sad. I wish people would just leave them alone.

Tammi August 6, 2013 (8:53 am)

This makes me so angry and sad. Why cant people just leave the pups alone?! Thanks Seal Sitters for the work that you do.

Kayleigh August 6, 2013 (9:03 am)

Seriously, wtf? What part of “leave the seals alone” don’t people understand?

sophista-tiki August 6, 2013 (9:06 am)

why? because people think the rules apply to everyone else but them.

star 55 August 6, 2013 (9:18 am)

I have seen boaters, kayak’s and paddle boarders close to the raft on a regular basis. I wonder if there isn’t some kind of sign on a PVC pipe that could be put on the raft with a warning about staying 100 yards away that might help educate those folks. Just and idea.

let them swim August 6, 2013 (9:37 am)

I’m confused????

Why was the seal pup left to die by our State Capital? The officials said to let mother nature take its’ due course and then the officials up here said help this seal?????

Could someone from Seal- Sitters explain.

BTY, Seal-Sitters doing a good job+++++

WSB August 6, 2013 (9:59 am)

LTS, if you read another Seal Sitters post, the whole situation in the South Sound was COMPLETELY misinterpreted by regional media among others. I was talking with Robin about that case on Saturday. Here’s what she wrote:
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http://www.blubberblog.org/files/b3679565952430cec6bbee30832ca53a-510.html
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Note the top update – that pup was a WEANED pup exhibiting normal behavior. Nothing like this situation, with a days-old newborn who needs to nurse to get its food, and mom having been scared away.
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TR

waterworld August 6, 2013 (9:50 am)

Below is a link to a nice, one-page flyer from NOAA about “responsible” viewing of harbor seals specifically here in Washington. It includes the phone number for their enforcement hotline. If you see boaters getting in too close to resting harbor seals, try to get the vessel registration numbers and other identifying information, and then call in a report to NOAA so it can deal with the violator. (With a few exceptions, it’s a federal crime to invade the 100-yard space around marine mammals.) Some people truly don’t know how harmful it is to get close to these pups. Others, I guess, don’t care.

The flyer his here:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/health/northwest/sharetheshore_harborsealpups.pdf

The enforcement hotline number is (800) 853-1964.

maggie August 6, 2013 (10:02 am)

The season is just starting. Lets hope this is the only case of this

Chris W August 6, 2013 (10:03 am)

Thank you Robin, and thank you WSB. Grow up strong, Sparkles!

let them swim August 6, 2013 (10:07 am)

@waterworld and TR,

Thanks for explaining and the links. It really makes sense now. But, it doesn’t make sense why boaters have to get so close. Use binoculars for seals sake!

Meecrob August 6, 2013 (10:33 am)

There so cute though. How could you possibly resist going in for a closer look?

datamuse August 6, 2013 (10:58 am)

There so cute though. How could you possibly resist going in for a closer look?
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Because doing so MAY KILL THEM. Why is this so hard to understand? Adults have to resist doing things all the time, it’s part of what makes us adults. Sheesh.

linda August 6, 2013 (11:09 am)

Resist going in for a closer look because they are a whole lot cuter alive than dead.

AM August 6, 2013 (11:15 am)

I like the idea of a sign. Not sure if there’s $$ for it, but the level of intelligence of the general population isn’t so great. I can only hope and assume they don’t understand the risk they are putting the pups at when they harass/come close for a better look.
Hopefully signage on the raft will help!

trickycoolj August 6, 2013 (11:15 am)

Wonder if it’s worth some PSAs with some local “celebrities.” When I was young and vacationed in Hawaii they had lots of PSAs on the tourism channel warning folks to stay away from the Monk Seals and I haven’t forgotten.

Mary Metz August 6, 2013 (12:33 pm)

Are there similar rules or guidelines for other marine mammals? I ended up in a not-pretty shouting match with some people who were getting very close to a river otter who had pulled out of the water at Lincoln Park to have a snack a few weeks ago. (I initially thought it was a seal because I was some distance away.) In retrospect, I wish I’d handled the situation differently, but I also still believe that my position – that people should keep their kids and themselves away from wild animals – was correct. But I *would* like to know if there’s an official position I could quote. Is there? (Also I echo the thanks to the seal sitters.)

FreGirl August 6, 2013 (1:08 pm)

Thank you Seal Sitters for keeping watch on our West Seattle beaches. I know the organization gets negativity a lot for asking people to stay back and asking people to please keep their dogs on leashes. But the Marine Mammal Stranding Network, of which Seal Sitters is a part, does a huge amount of great work trying to keep all the marine wildlife safe in the Sound.

I just wish the funds were there to build more platforms for the seals so they could stay off the beaches. And for signs or buoys to keep the boaters away from them!

waterworld August 6, 2013 (2:16 pm)

Mary: The rules for keeping your distance and not harassing marine mammals applies to almost all whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions, as well as manatees, dugongs, and polar bears. Two otters are covered by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the sea otter and the marine otter. River otters are not covered by the MMPA.

I don’t know whether there are any state or local laws that prohibit harassing river otters. Personally, I wouldn’t do it.

Greg August 6, 2013 (3:41 pm)

Seal Sitters plays a vital role in an urban wildlife area. Our customers at Alki Kayak Tours are constantly instructed on the rules, but they often don’t listen or understand. Hearing about ideas such as signage is enlightening. We for one would help sponsor such an effort.

Jeff B. August 6, 2013 (3:50 pm)

I’m not sure a sign would work, anyone getting that close to a baby seal is probably not smart enough to read.

let them swim August 6, 2013 (3:58 pm)

Would it be legal to install a oil spill boom around the area to restrict boaters from getting too close?

Heather August 6, 2013 (4:29 pm)

I think a sign or a boom might work. People are clueless and “exploring”. It’s just like the wilderness signs on land. Something that clearly says: (Protected) Harbor Seal Weaning Zone. Interference Leads to Pup Abondonment.

Lou August 6, 2013 (4:53 pm)

Really Meecrob? I hope you are joking. Use binoculars or a telescope and keep your distance. The Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits “take” of marine mammals by any person. “Take” can also be understood as harrassment – like getting too close.

detslim August 6, 2013 (5:15 pm)

Some people think these harbor seals are eating all our salmon…and none for them to catch so they like to harass them. :>( so frustrating they just can’t leave them alone, now this pup may not survive.

Maybe a zoo can take it in…is that better though?

Dave August 6, 2013 (9:14 pm)

Hey, Sealsitters-
Your email on your page is bouncing back emails. You might want to check it out.
Here’s what I was trying to send.

Just out of curiosity, has anyone considered assembling signage mounts for the platforms? I’m picturing a light framework of tubular metal, either four-legged or a tripod, with a sign informing people to maintain distance and why, as well as some verbiage about the law and the accompanying fine. While some people may be careless, or even malicious, I’m sure most persons approaching the seals are doing so out of ignorance and curiosity.
Perhaps with some publicity from WSB, you might even attract a fabricator who’d do it for cost and you’d probably be able to raise donations. I know I’d be willing to make a donation.

Just a thought.

Dave.

Robin August 7, 2013 (8:04 am)

Dave, can you let me know which link is bouncing emails? I believe I have checked them all and they seem to work fine on my end. Thanks so much!

Also, thanks to everyone for your concern and suggestions for help. We are working with NOAA Office for Law Enforcement and WDFW Enforcement for ways to lessen this harassment of seals and sea lions trying to rest on platforms, buoys, docks and, of course, on shore. We’re trying to figure out some way of posting signage letting people know to “Stay back!”.

We rescued another terribly thin pup yesterday from Cormorant Cove – the same one (determined by id photos) who had spent the night at Lincoln Park. Unfortunately, all of the rehab spaces are now filled at PAWS – almost all of them due to human interference. This now limits our ability to help other animals in need for at least another month and possibly longer – rehab of seal pups is quite challenging and lengthy.

We have a PSA “Share the Shore with Seal Pups” (http://www.sealsitters.org/news/psa.html) that has been sent to all tv media and local radio, but don’t know how frequently it is run. The WSDOT ferry homepage currently features a “spotlight” on harbor seal pups and who to contact – and we are working on a shortened version that will run on their on-board tv system. The PSA is also featured on a number of NOAA websites and WDFW sites. We are doing our very best to bring the highest visibility possible to protect these vulnerable seal pups.

JoAnne August 7, 2013 (4:13 pm)

It’s possible that we need a local ordinance in addition to the MMPA to prohibit approaching marine mammals in Puget Sound.
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Maybe someone has already looked into this?
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If local police could respond to wildlife harassment they could get there faster than NOAA enforcement. They might issue warnings and/or citations for animal cruelty, in addition to identifying the perps for later prosecution under MMPA.
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Just a suggestion, but if people keep getting away with this they will keep doing it.

West August 8, 2013 (12:34 pm)

We all need to be reporting these incidences when they are observed, civil penalties can be as much as $10k and in extreme circumstances federal charges can be brought up to $100k and jail time for violations of the MMPA

Hotline to report to :(800) 853-1964
I suppose the police/harbor patrol could be contacted as well : (206)684-4071

Sorry, comment time is over.