Break time for a mom and her pup

Originally published August 17, 2019 at 7:00 am

A kayaker cruises past a harbor seal and her about 2-week-old pup as they relax on a rock south of Alki Point near Beach Drive Southwest in West Seattle. Federal guidelines say that people must stay back 100 yards from the seals and the kayaker is possibly too close. Adult seals are shy and the mom may not return if they are disturbed. Seal Sitters, a volunteer group, were contacted when the pup was first seen and will keep an eye on the pair. A first responder stays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and others for 2-hour shifts. The mother brought a newborn pup to the same site last summer and Seal Sitters think she may be in the area for a couple of weeks. In inland waters, like the Puget Sound, pups are born from mid-June through September. Nursing pups stay with their mothers from four to six weeks and then are weaned and survive on their own. They have a 50% survival rate in their first year. If a pup is found alone on a beach, it should not be touched or disturbed. If anyone finds a marine mammal on the beach, call Seal Sitters at 206-905-SEAL (7325). For information, go to www.sealsitters.org or blog at www.blubberblog.org. (Ellen M. Banner / The Seattle Times)

A harbor seal and her young pup relax on a rock south of Alki Point near Beach Drive Southwest in West Seattle. Nursing pups stay with their mothers from four to six weeks and then are weaned and survive on their own. Federal guidelines say that people must stay back 100 yards from the seals and if a pup is found alone on a beach, it should not be touched or disturbed. For more information, go www.sealsitters.org or blog at www.blubberblog.org. 211092 (Ellen M. Banner / The Seattle Times)

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By

Ellen Banner

The Seattle Times

Ellen Banner: ebanner@seattletimes.com.