Nursing pup hauls out for the long haul

Sep/18/09 11:04 PM

It’s very possible that extraordinarily watchful Seal Sitters saved a nursing pup’s life last night on the beach. It was a beautiful late summer night, first weekend of school and a very active, crowded beach on Sept. 18th. A very tiny seal pup (2 ft. long and probably 4 weeks old) hauled out in the early afternoon in a dangerously public place – skateboarders, crowds of teenagers, cars roaring by, sirens, many people wanting to “get close for one cell phone photo.” This pup was so wide-eyed and vulnerable with no fear or savvy sense yet about humans. She was far away from the tide so did not have any quick escape if threatened. Without the yellow “Protected Marine Mammal” tape Seal Sitters used to cordon the pup off from crowds, a jogger or strollers might have tripped over her tiny body.

Though perfectly camouflaged by gravel and beach rocks, the pup still drew big, curious crowds. Seal Sitters were called and 8 new volunteers from our July training showed up for their first night of pup-sitting. New Seal Sitters were thrilled at this opportunity to watch over a wild animal sharing our beach.

From photographs we figured out the pup was still nursing because she was plump and very few teeth were sprouted. Even though many other pups are being weaned now (at four-to-six weeks) and have more teeth for fishing, this pup was definitely awaiting mom’s return.

This meant that Seal Sitters had to take extra care the pup was not startled or frightened back into the water. The chances of a reunion with the mother fishing way out at sea are slim. The pup could be lost and might not survive without nursing. A juvenile seal pup with fully developed teeth is probably on her own by now. This weaning period is critical as the pups learn to fish for themselves. They, too, need long rests onshore.

A new Seal Sitter named this little nursing pup “Donna.” Seal Sitters were very helpful in congenial crowd control. We had retired high school teachers to help out with the teenage crowds, a librarian who memorized seal facts as fast as she learned them, and several intrepid new Seal Sitters who got to put all they had learned about seal pups to good use educating the hundreds of people on the beach.

We waited from 2 p.m. until very late into the night, protecting the pup from off-leash dogs and crowds. At about 8:30 what we hoped was the mother seal was spotted right offshore. But then a group of very loud cars with blaring radios cruised by and the mother disappeared back into the waters. We waited until 1 a.m. when at last the mother returned for her pup. The beach was at long last calm.

The mother seal barked softly --- NOT the hoarse and loud barking we’ve been hearing from sea lions offshore this past week – but a quick and quiet coughing sound, a little louder than a coo. The pup raised her head and stretched her throat, opening her mouth in what was like a long yawn. Seal Sitters wondered if there were some sub-sonic or ultrasonic whistle exchanged between mom and pup. A signal that humans cannot hear. We are checking this with our biologist.

With some effort, the pup hopped up over some big driftwood logs and scooted back down the beach into the surf. Moments later, Seal Sitters were thrilled to see the pup and mother back together in the waves. A big head and a little head swimming right alongside. Reunion!

Please keep your eyes out for seal pups napping on our beaches. Look to see if they are plump or thin. Call Seal Sitters at 206 905-SEAL to report a pup so we can get more volunteers trained on the beach.

Thanks for sharing the shores! (post by SS volunteer Brenda Peterson)