Unlike most marine mammal stranding networks, Seal Sitters encourages young people to join and help us protect wildlife. Because we live in such an urban area, it’s much easier for them to participate than in more remote regions. Each training session, we are lucky enough to attract more great kids and parents (like new volunteers Colleen and 11-year-old son Fionn) who are anxious to learn about our marine environment and how they can make a difference.

Colleen and Fionn were among the many volunteers who watched in shifts over seal pup Truffles, resting at Don Armeni boat launch on Monday. 10-year-old twin sisters Megan and Kiera were also on duty with their proud aunt Raiana, a long-time volunteer (photo right), talking with interested passersby. They let them know that Truffles was about 6 - 8 months old, all on his own and needed to rest and gain strength to forage for food.

The boat ramp is an inherently dangerous place for a seal pup to snooze. With cars driving through the parking lot, boats and trailers in an out of the launch area, and people walking dogs, it would be easy for a pup to get chased back into the water or possibly be injured. All the more reason to have vigilant volunteers on hand. Thankfully, yesterday was a slow day for boat traffic and Truffles was able to extend his siesta til late in the evening. We have not seen Truffles since Monday night, but have been on the lookout for him with his distinct balding coat (see earlier post).

While our volunteers were admiring the Seattle skyline and Truffles’ stretches and yawns, we were alerted that there was an injured Canada Goose nearby. The severely bleeding adult bird was captured by Seal Sitters - volunteers David and Eilene kept the goose from returning to Elliott Bay, James gently subdued him with a towel and we managed to get him into a kennel and transferred to PAWS in Lynnwood. Kudos to the goose-wrangling team! We will keep you posted as we hear more about the bird’s condition and possible cause of the bloody wound.

Tags: Truffles