“Pisces” when first found on the beach. Photo: James Powell

In early August, a call came to Seal Sitters reporting a harbor seal pup at Constellation Park. When she heard that the animal was calling out, the hotline operator was immediately concerned it was a nursing-age pup separated from its mother. First Responder James found the tiny animal below a rock jetty.

James says, “minutes after arriving, the first of two off-leash dogs came running up to where the seal was. Multiple RPs (reporting parties) reported . . . dogs on the beach all afternoon.” James watched the seal for an hour without seeing an attending female. Given the dogs, the growing crowd on the beach and the small size of the pup, he decided to take the pup, nicknamed Pisces, to the SR3 marine hospital.

At last report Pisces is doing well in care. The pup weighed only 7 kg at intake, while the ideal birth weight is 10 kg or more. She has been putting on weight and it’s reported that she ate her first live fish.

James is the Response Program Manager for SR3 and has been assisting Seal Sitters with beach response. As you may have heard, Seal Sitters is now in partnership with SR3, which is helping us with medical assessments, volunteer training and database services. Many thanks to SR3 for all the support.

Seal Sitters is still the Marine Mammal Stranding Network for West Seattle. Please continue to call Seal Sitters’ hotline at 206-905-7325 (SEAL) for all reports of marine mammals on the beach.