An estimated nine month old seal pup was on the beach on Mothers Day at Point Williams, where Colman Pool was located. Seal Sitters volunteers put protective tape around the area and kept an eye on the pup which had been their since the morning hours, through the afternoon.
The marine mammal education and protection organization Seal Sitters was on the job on Sunday when, after getting a call around 10:30 am about a seal pup on Point Williams, where Colman Pool is located, the first responder confirmed a pup was present on the beach and put up yellow tape. The tape establishes a safe zone for the seals who come to rest on the beach.
The Seal Sitters volunteers estimated that the pup was approximately 9 months old. "Pups are weaned at 4-6 weeks of age and often struggle to survive their first winter and spring," said Seal Sitters Robin Lindsey, and reach sexual maturity in 3 to 7 years. They can be found along the Pacific coast of North America from Alaska to California. They are also found in Asia and Europe.
When they do come on shore it is to rest and warm up. Their presence on the beach is not unusual, even for many hours. Their mother may be out gathering food or it's possible the pup is weaned and is on its own.
Seal Sitters advises that you stay 100 yards away and that you should never feed, touch or pick up a seal. Also please keep dogs away from seals on the beach.
If you see a seal, or other marine mammal that appears stranded on West Seattle beaches they ask that you call their hotline 206-905-7325(SEAL) so they can respond and provide some watchful eyes.
The volunteers on site chose a name, "Carnation" since this pup appeared on Mother's day, and Carnations are both gender neutral and common Mothers Day flowers.
