A SEAL ON THE ROCKS - WITH A SPLASH OF ELLIOTT BAY
This morning around 8am, a slight movement caught the attention of a couple walking along the waterfront on Harbor Avenue SW. They stopped to watch as a young harbor seal hauled out on the sea wall near Don Armeni boat ramp. Seal Sitters volunteer John regularly walks along the shore and often spots seals, but he admits that he wouldn’t have noticed this one if the couple hadn’t pointed it out. They all winced as the seal crawled up the barnacle-encrusted rock. John notified hotline operator Melinda J and helped set up a perimeter when First Responder Lynn arrived.

The pup has been nicknamed Miracle by enthusiastic 8-year-old SS volunteer Lina, who took the Seal Sitters training last year.

The weaner settled down and slept undisturbed for several hours until waves from passing boats splashed the seal’s resting spot. Miracle tried to burrow deeper into the rocks, but was eventually swamped by the rising tide. At 12:20 pm, the seal turned around, slipped into the water and swam straight away from shore.

Many thanks to volunteers John, Dory, Margie, Jay and Carol for helping out. David provided a spotting scope and Robin pitched in some support. A huge thank you to Melinda J who took over the scheduling duties in a pinch, as well as manning the hotline.

Tags: Miracle