What to do if you see a seal

| West Seattle beaches | Wildlife

Got a note from someone concerned about a baby seal that turned up out of the water on Alki, and wondering what to do in a situation like that. Authorities’ advice: Leave it alone, until and unless at least 36 hours have gone by; seal moms sometimes leave their babies on a beach so they can go look for food, and they’ll be back. If you think that much time has gone by, or you think it’s injured or otherwise in imminent danger, there’s a hotline at 206-526-6733. (And lots more information here.)

Kathy April 5, 2007 (9:58 am)

Thanks so much for posting this info on finding seals. We saw the pup during our walk on Alki last night and were concerned about it being so close to the most popular parts of the beach.

And big cheers to the small group of teenagers that were watching over it from the sidewalk when we were there. They were telling people it was there so they could look at it, then telling them why it was important to stay away from it.

A dude April 5, 2007 (10:40 am)

and for God’s sake, don’t club it!!

Trevor F. Smith April 5, 2007 (12:47 pm)

Oh, for a picture!

Eric April 5, 2007 (1:42 pm)

seal sushi?

Jan April 5, 2007 (1:53 pm)

eric…bad, bad, bad…tsk, tsk…

Eric April 5, 2007 (2:38 pm)

“ericÃ¢â‚¬Â¦bad, bad, bad” oh, you’ve tried it? ;)

ML April 5, 2007 (3:01 pm)

We were just walking on Alki beach and saw the seal–I assume still within the 36-hr time frame?

Rhonda Porter April 5, 2007 (4:18 pm)

I spotted an otter this morning by Emma Schmitz View Point…could it have been that instead? ;)(Otter’s are not good for sushi, btw).

Kathy April 5, 2007 (4:47 pm)

We were at Alki last night when it came out of the water around 6pm, so it’s still within the 36-hour period.

Shane April 5, 2007 (7:46 pm)

I got pictures!
http://www.shanemarr.net/serendipity/index.php?/archives/60-A-visitor-on-Alki.html

Amy April 5, 2007 (7:54 pm)

We saw it tonight (Th), around 7:45 p.m. Sadly, it did not look like it was doing well. Someone called the authorities. Hopefully they will post an update.