The 2018 harbor seal pupping season is off to a remarkable start in West Seattle. Following up on a call about two seals resting on a rock just offshore at a popular beach, Seal Sitters First Responder Dana was surprised and delighted to see a mom and her pup soaking up some midday sunshine - what a treat for our first pup response of the season.

It is a rarity to see a mom and pup onshore during daylight hours along our busy urban shoreline. In fact, only a couple of times over Seal Sitters’ past dozen years have nursing pairs been seen - and always on offshore rafts for an easy escape into Puget Sound. Adult seals, especially mothers with offspring, are extremely wary of human activity.

Dana politely moved a crowd of people, including someone with an off leash dog, back and away from the seals. Seal Sitters volunteers designated an expansive stretch of closed beach around the two so they could rest relatively stress free. The public was extremely cooperative and understanding when informed that a seal mom might abandon her pup if she perceives a threat from humans and dogs. A nursing-age abandoned pup cannot survive without her.

Nicknamed Pearl (mom) and Jam (pup), the beautifully marked seals entertained passersby and beachcombers for several hours, as ferries passed back and forth between Seattle and the Kitsap Peninsula. Eventually, the incoming tide swept over their rocky perch and they returned to the Sound. Little Jam, estimated to be about two weeks old based on body weight of both the pup and mom, struggled to get back up on other rocks so they drifted peacefully in the flat, gray water.

Harbor seal moms typically nurse their young for 4 - 6 weeks, depending on their fat resources. Once pups are weaned, they are completely on their own. Having lost approximately half their body weight while nursing, mom must then concentrate solely on restoring her health. Pups often continue to beg for a full two weeks afterwards. Typically the busiest months for newly weaned seal pups in our area of Central Puget Sound are September and October.

If you see Pearl-Jam (or any other seal), resting on or off shore - or trying to haul out - please stay far back and call Seal Sitters Hotline @ 206-905- SEAL. It would be a tragedy if Jam is abandoned due to human interference.

Tags: Pearl-Jam