Last week, Seal Sitters MMSN First Responders Victoria and John investigated the report of a dead harbor seal pup rolling in the surf on a private beach. The tiny pup was a newborn with umbilical cord still attached. They transported the pup to marine mammal rehab facility SR3 in Des Moines for a necropsy to determine cause of death.

SR3 Veterinarian Greg Frankfurter reported back that the pup was a neonatal female in good body condition. The pup had recently nursed as there was food in the stomach. He reported that the cranium was “shattered” and disarticulated from the spine. His conclusion was that it was “most likely…from a boat given the highly focused high force trauma.” Thankfully, the pup probably did not suffer since “loss of consciousness was likely immediate.”

Recently, another newborn was struck and killed by a boat motoring at a Central Puget Sound marina.

PLEASE BE ON THE LOOKOUT
Seal Sitters would like to remind boaters to be on high alert this time of year. What may appear to be a small log drifting on the surface of the water could easily be a dozing harbor seal pup. Seal moms often give birth on docks and at marinas and can be seen swimming nearby. Please, always motor cautiously.

Additionally, if you are moored in a bay or marina for any length of time or overnight, make sure to check your transom before leaving the area for your next destination. Tired seal pups are always looking for an easy spot to rest. Moving a nursing seal pup out of the area, away from his or her mom, would truly be a death sentence for the newborn. If you find a pup sleeping on your transom and you need to sail, if your presence alone doesn’t encourage the pup to leave, very gently use a paddle to scoot the hitchhiker off and into the water.