WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: Elephant seal lingering

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

Thanks to Paul Benade of Always Local Photos for the latest view of the Northern Elephant Seal that’s lingering in West Seattle waters – he was seen off the 4100 block of Beach Drive. If you see him, here’s what you should know, courtesy of Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network.

Sillygoose July 21, 2021 (2:38 pm)

I am beginning to wonder if this guy is okay. Isn’t it unusual for them to hang around here this long?

David Hutchinson July 21, 2021 (9:27 pm)

Thanks for your concern. Seal Sitters has sent a number of photos of this animal, both in and out of the water, to Dr. Patrick W. Robinson, the director of the Ano Nuevo Reserve in California. Below is part of his reply:

“The seal appears to be unmolted. This is the beginning of the male molting season, so he will likely begin molting within a week or two (so, allowing him undisturbed time onland is key). He is a little skinny for a pre-molt male, but not outside the range I would call normal/healthy.”

He was observed eating fish today in the same area of Beach Drive as shown in the photo.

As far as the length of time he is spending around here, I imagine it’s related to whether he can find enough food. Prior to showing up along Beach Drive on 7/16, he had been in the Des Moines/Redondo area for about one month.