“Bellissima!” the dark-haired woman exclaimed as she peered through the scope from behind the Protected Marine Mammal tape. Though the young couple visiting from Italy didn’t speak a word of English, no translation was needed as they oozed joy from the surprise sight of a seal pup snoozing below them.

“Beautiful” indeed was Pumpkin, who had unexpectedly come ashore during daylight hours on Wednesday, after having already spent a number of hours resting overnight.

Thin but alert, she slept throughout the day and crept higher up on the sand as the tide slowly moved in. Finally, in the afternoon a series of waves swept over Pumpkin and she swam off into the Sound, returning a short time later. She rested until early evening before swimming off once again and Seal Sitters volunteers headed home, but responders continued to monitor the area. Checking the closed beach at 8:45pm, she was still gone. However, Pumpkin was back again before 6:30am Thursday and was lethargic throughout the morning.

This increased need to be ashore was not a good sign for a thin, weaned pup - all of whom are struggling mightily this time of year. With dwindling fat stores for energy and warmth, each day is a battle between life and death. Sadly, around 1pm yesterday, this tiny white pup lost that battle and died at the water’s edge, trying to return to Puget Sound.

Heartfelt thanks to all of the volunteers who invested many hours to give Pumpkin the best chance we could to rest, warm up and try to gain strength, free from harassment and stress. And special thanks to the first responders who monitored the beach at Duwamish Head each night, closing the beach to protect her and removing the tape barrier at dawn when she was gone.

The passing of every seal pup - and Seal Sitters MMSN has had more than our quota of death this pupping season - is a constant reminder how terribly vulnerable these small marine mammals are, with 50% mortality their first year. Please, Share the Shore with wildlife - you might very well save a life.

Tags: Pumpkin