Cutie
Pupping season brings waves of seal pups
Oct/05/21 03:10 PM
A September spate of weaned pups has signaled the start of pupping season in West Seattle. Seal Sitters hotline has recently been swamped with reports of seals on beaches stretching from Lincoln Park to Alki. September and October are typically the busiest months for seal pup responses in Seattle and South Puget Sound.
On one day alone, Seal Sitters First Responders scrambled to protect three young seals who were onshore. While one was resting at the far southern reaches of West Seattle in Lincoln Park, another, nicknamed Cutie, was found miles away lying in the middle of the boat ramp, just feet from a truck backing up with a trailer (photo above).
Because the pup was not intimidated and frightened off by the size and activity of the vehicles, we were concerned the weaner might have health issues. Dr. Greg Frankfurter of SR3 arrived to assess the pup who then scooted back into the water. A tired and cold pup is often not alert and usually more than reluctant to leave shore. Boaters, please be cautious when launching at ramps this time of year. Pups are always looking for easy access places to doze; sadly, each season it seems a pup is run over and killed - or has to be euthanized from horrific injuries.
Meanwhile, yet another pup named Zeus hopped out briefly onto the north ramp at the same location. Zeus later perched on nearby rocks and rested there throughout the evening. First Responder David found people at 9pm looking for Zeus with a flashlight and someone climbing down the rocks. He reminded them that people are to stay far back from resting seals and that a startled, scared pup could be seriously injured in a fall trying to escape. Please let seals be and share the shore!
Earlier in the week, seal pup Sprinter tried to get some rest and warmth on several busy public beaches. Seal Sitters watched over him/her whenever onshore, but the crowds and activity kept the pup on the move. One day as Sprinter lay below the Alki seawall, volunteers were horrified to watch a kayaker's unleashed dog make a beeline for the seal pup. Thankfully, Sprinter was able to escape safely into the water.
A number of days later, Seal Sitters noticed that Sprinter seemed to be in decline with possible ear and respiratory infections. He was captured by Seal Sitters First Responders and transferred to SR3’s marine mammal rehab facility in Des Moines. The veterinary team was initially guarded about Sprinter’s chances, so they were delighted when he suddenly ate a whole fish. The pup continues to recover. A Seattle Times photographer captured the rescue efforts and you can view photos here.
There were numerous other responses during the past week. Weaned pup Booster (above) was seen only one day. First Responder Dori found a woman sitting on log right next to the pup. Dori explained to her the need to move back and give the pup some quiet time to rest. The woman later said she didn’t know anything about pups and very grateful Dori talked to her with such respect. She was quite intrigued about the seal and asked lots of questions when volunteers chatted with her later.
Most harbor seal pups in South Puget Sound are weaned by October 1st and by October 15th all pups will be entirely on their own, struggling to find safe places to rest. The damp and colder Fall months are especially tough on these newly-weaned pups who need to build up immunity to ward off parasites and disease. Pups generally lose half their body weight in the first two weeks after weaning. Low body weight and stress makes them even more vulnerable to health issues.
Seal Sitters depends on our great volunteers like Kat (photo left) to educate the public - and help pups rest undisturbed to have the best chance possible not only to survive, but to thrive. Thanks to the many volunteers who kept these pups safe.
On one day alone, Seal Sitters First Responders scrambled to protect three young seals who were onshore. While one was resting at the far southern reaches of West Seattle in Lincoln Park, another, nicknamed Cutie, was found miles away lying in the middle of the boat ramp, just feet from a truck backing up with a trailer (photo above). Because the pup was not intimidated and frightened off by the size and activity of the vehicles, we were concerned the weaner might have health issues. Dr. Greg Frankfurter of SR3 arrived to assess the pup who then scooted back into the water. A tired and cold pup is often not alert and usually more than reluctant to leave shore. Boaters, please be cautious when launching at ramps this time of year. Pups are always looking for easy access places to doze; sadly, each season it seems a pup is run over and killed - or has to be euthanized from horrific injuries.
Meanwhile, yet another pup named Zeus hopped out briefly onto the north ramp at the same location. Zeus later perched on nearby rocks and rested there throughout the evening. First Responder David found people at 9pm looking for Zeus with a flashlight and someone climbing down the rocks. He reminded them that people are to stay far back from resting seals and that a startled, scared pup could be seriously injured in a fall trying to escape. Please let seals be and share the shore!
Earlier in the week, seal pup Sprinter tried to get some rest and warmth on several busy public beaches. Seal Sitters watched over him/her whenever onshore, but the crowds and activity kept the pup on the move. One day as Sprinter lay below the Alki seawall, volunteers were horrified to watch a kayaker's unleashed dog make a beeline for the seal pup. Thankfully, Sprinter was able to escape safely into the water.
A number of days later, Seal Sitters noticed that Sprinter seemed to be in decline with possible ear and respiratory infections. He was captured by Seal Sitters First Responders and transferred to SR3’s marine mammal rehab facility in Des Moines. The veterinary team was initially guarded about Sprinter’s chances, so they were delighted when he suddenly ate a whole fish. The pup continues to recover. A Seattle Times photographer captured the rescue efforts and you can view photos here.
There were numerous other responses during the past week. Weaned pup Booster (above) was seen only one day. First Responder Dori found a woman sitting on log right next to the pup. Dori explained to her the need to move back and give the pup some quiet time to rest. The woman later said she didn’t know anything about pups and very grateful Dori talked to her with such respect. She was quite intrigued about the seal and asked lots of questions when volunteers chatted with her later.Seal Sitters depends on our great volunteers like Kat (photo left) to educate the public - and help pups rest undisturbed to have the best chance possible not only to survive, but to thrive. Thanks to the many volunteers who kept these pups safe.
