If you’ve been following the story of the Alki gun incident last night, you know that it included the report (starting with this comment on our original report) that a seal was being harassed by the man arrested for an alleged weapons violation. It’s believed now that it’s the same seal whose death has just been reported by Robin Lindsey of West Seattle-based Seal Sitters, a harbor seal that died today after being rescued from the Harbor Ave waterfront – read on for her full report, including what to do if you encounter a marine mammal in any kind of trouble or being threatened: (Monday update: the Seal Sitters have updated their website – see the update here – their original Saturday night report is what follows)
An adult harbor seal was rescued from the beach across from 1005 Harbor Ave SW by WA Fish and Wildlife around 1:45 this afternoon. A veterinarian from PAWS, was on scene to do an initial health assessment and the seal was then driven to Lakewood for further assessment and treatment. A Fish and Wildlife biologist has reported that the seal died during examination at their office. The seal was extremely thin and unresponsive, hypothermic and possibly hypoglycemic. A necropsy will be performed on the animal to determine cause of death.
Seal Sitters responded late Wednesday evening to a report of a seal on a Brace Point beach. The seal was thin and photos were sent that night to a NOAA stranding expert. The seal was gone the next morning at 5 am. Seal Sitters received another report on Friday of a “possibly dead seal” on the rocks south of Brace Point. However, there was no seal found. There were reports of a seal being harassed on Alki Beach at 9pm last night and later, a panicked call to an emergency vet clinic at midnight that a seal was being “beaten†on Alki Beach. It is believed that this was the same seal rescued this afternoon. At 7 am this morning the seal was located by Seal Sitters, who contacted WA Fish and Wildlife.
Seal Sitters would like to stress that if anyone sees a marine mammal being harassed or injured it is a matter for law enforcement. Call the NOAA Enforcement Hotline @ 1-800-853-1964 and tell them an animal is being harmed. If humans or the animal are in imminent danger, CALL 911. Then, call Seal Sitters @ 206-905-7325 or the NOAA Stranding Hotline @ 206-526-6733 to report the situation and location of the animal.
It is a crime to harm a marine mammal. Violators are subject to criminal and civil penalties under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Harassing or harming marine mammals is against the law and punishable with fines up to $20,000 (16U.S.C~1375).
Please check Seal Sitters’ blog for updates:
http://www.sealsitters.org/seal_sitters_blubberblog
The Seal Sitters site also includes a report we missed two weeks ago, regarding the death of a female California sea lion who had been spending time on West Seattle beaches.
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