Seal Sitters on high alert for seriously wounded seal pup
Dec/07/15 05:59 AM
Just as the Seattle Seahawks game hit halftime yesterday, first responder Robin got a call from hotline operator Renee about a seal pup on the fenced beach at Jack Block Park. Expecting to just run down and get an i.d. photo since that beach is inaccessible to the public (and, therefore, off leash dogs as well), she was saddened to see a deep, slicing wound on the pup’s neck.
The fact that the pup was quite alert and positioned close to the water’s edge made the likelihood of a successful rescue very dubious. More likely than not, instead of being able to capture the pup, responders would have scared him into the water. Since he/she desperately need rest and the beach was secure from human harassment, we decided to let him rest in hopes for a chance of rescue today. The pup slept pretty soundly the rest of the afternoon and responders made arrangements with PAWS Wildlife Center, recently on overload with oiled geese, to ensure they had space to treat the pup.
We ask that the public call Seal Sitters’ hotline @ 206-905-SEAL (7325) immediately upon seeing a seal pup onshore. Only members of NOAA’s Marine Mammal Stranding Network have the authority to handle marine mammals. Please stay far back and keep dogs leashed. It is urgent that we get the pup medical attention from this human-caused injury. Thanks to Tracy and the West Seattle Blog for helping us spread the word for people to be on the lookout.
The pup was named Dreidel by Seal Sitters volunteer Noelle and friend Karen out for a stroll at the waterfront park. The name is in honor of the first day of Hanukkah. This is the third seal pup this week that Seal Sitters has responded to along the shores of Elliott Bay.
Marine debris and toxic trash can cause entanglement, serious injury and death to marine marine mammals and other sea life. Read more on Seal Sitters’ website in our newly expanded marine debris section.
The fact that the pup was quite alert and positioned close to the water’s edge made the likelihood of a successful rescue very dubious. More likely than not, instead of being able to capture the pup, responders would have scared him into the water. Since he/she desperately need rest and the beach was secure from human harassment, we decided to let him rest in hopes for a chance of rescue today. The pup slept pretty soundly the rest of the afternoon and responders made arrangements with PAWS Wildlife Center, recently on overload with oiled geese, to ensure they had space to treat the pup.
We ask that the public call Seal Sitters’ hotline @ 206-905-SEAL (7325) immediately upon seeing a seal pup onshore. Only members of NOAA’s Marine Mammal Stranding Network have the authority to handle marine mammals. Please stay far back and keep dogs leashed. It is urgent that we get the pup medical attention from this human-caused injury. Thanks to Tracy and the West Seattle Blog for helping us spread the word for people to be on the lookout.
The pup was named Dreidel by Seal Sitters volunteer Noelle and friend Karen out for a stroll at the waterfront park. The name is in honor of the first day of Hanukkah. This is the third seal pup this week that Seal Sitters has responded to along the shores of Elliott Bay.
Marine debris and toxic trash can cause entanglement, serious injury and death to marine marine mammals and other sea life. Read more on Seal Sitters’ website in our newly expanded marine debris section.
