Seal Sitters First Responders have had their hands full lately with reports of harbor seal pups along West Seattle’s bustling shoreline. September and October are typically the busiest months for responses in Central and South Puget Sound, as area seal rookeries are bursting with tiny pups and attentive moms. Pups can be born as late as early September (October in Hood Canal). As pups are weaned, they strike out on their own. As expected, activity has picked up dramatically in the last couple of weeks. However, we had an extra special surprise in August this year.

In August of 2018, a harbor seal female (Pearl) and her newborn pup (Jam) delighted Seal Sitters and the public by hauling out - and nursing - almost daily on a rock just offshore at a popular West Seattle beach. Over the course of many weeks, Jam grew fatter and stronger under the watchful eye of volunteers. Eventually, the pup was weaned and was not sighted again in our area. It was by far the high point of the season to have such a success story in contrast to the many struggling pups we so often protect.

Imagine our surprise when we received a report in early August this year of an adult seal with a small pup at that park on that same rock. Our first thought was, "Could it be Pearl?" We managed to get an ID photo of the adult and, sure enough, the distinct facial markings matched up with photos taken of her last year. Pearl was back in town with another newborn!

Over the course of a month, Pearl and her newest pup, nicknamed Minnie Pearl, have rested on Pearl's favorite rock - just big enough for the two of them to roost comfortably (photo above). Minnie has ballooned before our eyes, getting fatter by the day from mom’s rich milk. It is so wonderful to be able to observe this protective, wary mom and healthy pup. They continue to be seen in the area and haul out onto the rocks when tides permit. A robust female will nurse her pup from 4-6 weeks and Minnie, if not already weaned, should be soon. At that point, the weaner will be entirely on his/her own. With only about a 50% survival rate, this pup will face many challenges learning to successfully forage for food and escape danger.

On the bitter side of the sweet beginning to this season, Seal Sitters has responded to 5 pups that did not survive those daunting odds. All were taken to WA Department of Fish and Wildlife for necropsy.

There are several very small pups (in addition to Minnie) currently using West Seattle beaches. Seal Sitters volunteers are doing our best to keep them safe from harm - and give the vulnerable pups the best chance possible not only to survive, but thrive in the wild.

Tags: Pearl-Jam, Pearl-Minnie

The 2018 harbor seal pupping season is off to a remarkable start in West Seattle. Following up on a call about two seals resting on a rock just offshore at a popular beach, Seal Sitters First Responder Dana was surprised and delighted to see a mom and her pup soaking up some midday sunshine - what a treat for our first pup response of the season.

It is a rarity to see a mom and pup onshore during daylight hours along our busy urban shoreline. In fact, only a couple of times over Seal Sitters’ past dozen years have nursing pairs been seen - and always on offshore rafts for an easy escape into Puget Sound. Adult seals, especially mothers with offspring, are extremely wary of human activity.

Dana politely moved a crowd of people, including someone with an off leash dog, back and away from the seals. Seal Sitters volunteers designated an expansive stretch of closed beach around the two so they could rest relatively stress free. The public was extremely cooperative and understanding when informed that a seal mom might abandon her pup if she perceives a threat from humans and dogs. A nursing-age abandoned pup cannot survive without her.

Nicknamed Pearl (mom) and Jam (pup), the beautifully marked seals entertained passersby and beachcombers for several hours, as ferries passed back and forth between Seattle and the Kitsap Peninsula. Eventually, the incoming tide swept over their rocky perch and they returned to the Sound. Little Jam, estimated to be about two weeks old based on body weight of both the pup and mom, struggled to get back up on other rocks so they drifted peacefully in the flat, gray water.

Harbor seal moms typically nurse their young for 4 - 6 weeks, depending on their fat resources. Once pups are weaned, they are completely on their own. Having lost approximately half their body weight while nursing, mom must then concentrate solely on restoring her health. Pups often continue to beg for a full two weeks afterwards. Typically the busiest months for newly weaned seal pups in our area of Central Puget Sound are September and October.

If you see Pearl-Jam (or any other seal), resting on or off shore - or trying to haul out - please stay far back and call Seal Sitters Hotline @ 206-905- SEAL. It would be a tragedy if Jam is abandoned due to human interference.

Tags: Pearl-Jam