FOLLOWUP: Don’t be fooled if you see the Northern Elephant Seal that’s been visiting West Seattle

Thanks to reader reports/photos, we’ve been telling you these past few days about an unusual visitor to West Seattle waters/shores, an adult male Northern Elephant Seal. Most recent sighting we’ve heard of was this morning, near Lowman Beach. Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network‘s David Hutchinson sent this followup today from the seal’s extended Saturday visit north of there:

Seal Sitters would like to thank our West Seattle neighbors who contacted us concerning the elephant seal on their beach yesterday. Seal Sitters’ first responders were permitted to access the location and continue to monitor his movements and condition. This male northern Elephant Seal may turn up at other spots around the West Seattle peninsula.

Elephant Seals are deep divers and capable of holding their breath for many minutes. While on the beach, they may appear to be deceased. Just a reminder, this is a very large wild animal and may respond aggressively if disturbed. Observe from a distance and let the Seal Sitters’ Hotline (206-905-7325) know his location. If viewing him on the beach from a kayak or paddle board, please keep a respectful distance and allow him to rest – NOAA recommends 100 yards.

Here are a couple links to some information about this unusual visitor to our area:

NOAA Fact Sheet

The National Wildlife Foundation

Here are our previous reports: Saturday and Friday.

5 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: Don't be fooled if you see the Northern Elephant Seal that's been visiting West Seattle"

  • Gina July 18, 2021 (3:22 pm)

    A car was crushed in the Salty’s parking lot once upon a time by a sea mammal hauling out– take distancing seriously!

  • waikikigirl July 18, 2021 (4:17 pm)

    And PLEASE don’t be like the vacationing nitwits in Hawaii that felt possessed to go up to the Endangered Monk Seal and also the Green Sea Turtles to “touch” them and then post it on Tik Tok like they were someone special!!!! I’m happy to say that the Governor is doing something about it.

  • waikikgirl July 18, 2021 (5:50 pm)

    nShe could had been bitten and who would blame the Seal?

    • LY July 18, 2021 (7:38 pm)

      Hahahaha I laughed at this. What a moron. Anything for attention these days. “Look at me look at me look at me touching this wild animal”CHOMP.

  • waikikigirl July 19, 2021 (7:18 am)

    Ly,In the Vid to which I viewed on Hawaii News Now shows the seal lunging at her after she actually touched it! I guess they’ve since apologized and ARE being fined…but really if she came here and was hiking in the Cascades and came upon a Bear or Cougar would she try and pet/touch them too??? Attentions/likes on a internet format obviously more important than common sense 

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