WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: Seal Sitters’ first pup of the season

(WSB photo)

Walking on the Lincoln Park waterfront path Thursday evening, we spotted the tape and signage that Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network puts up when they’re guarding a visitor on the shore. They explained a harbor-seal pup – first one they’ve seen on a West Seattle beach this pupping season – was resting among the driftwood. We couldn’t see the pup from the path, but SSMMSN’s David Hutchinson got a long-lens photo and sent it to us early today:

(Photo by David Hutchinson)

He says it’s a “very young harbor seal pup, nicknamed ‘Xico’ by one of our new volunteers – pronounced Chico.” Reminder that if you see a marine mammal on shore – or one offshore that seems in distress – please notify SSMMSN at 206-905-SEAL.

6 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: Seal Sitters' first pup of the season"

  • HS August 20, 2021 (9:05 am)

    They’re just so dang cute!

  • StevieMq August 20, 2021 (9:27 am)

    What a sweet face

  • Jort August 20, 2021 (10:48 am)

    It’s important to remember that dogs – yes, even your dog who you think would never hurt anything – are surprisingly eager to  brutally maim and tear baby seals to shreds. When you let your dog walk on our beaches, you are taking a chance that your dog will mutilate a tiny baby seal. Keep your dog off the beach, and put it on a leash. Yes, even your precious poopsie-doo. 

  • Lynn Shimamoto August 20, 2021 (11:36 am)

    Folks had a hard time seeing Xico until Seal Sitters volunteers pointed out the tiny pup, well camouflaged in the driftwood.  A very young harbor seal is oblivious to danger while resting, and a dog could be upon it before the owner is aware.  Please let this be a reminder to keep your dogs leashed and off the beach.

  • Just wondering August 20, 2021 (1:40 pm)

    Seeing any newborn, animal or human, just makes me smile after all the world has been through!

  • Sue August 21, 2021 (12:06 am)

    Reminder: Please keep your dogs on leash and off the beach. They can pose a real threat to wildlife like this cute baby seal. We love dogs, but too many owners feel entitled to do as they damn well please.

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