ODFW removes elephant seal from popular Oregon beach ahead of spring break

Yahoo

26-03-2025

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's Marine Mammal Program captured and relocated an elephant seal pup that was resting at Neskowin's South Beach on March 19.
Experts moved the elephant seal pup to a less popular beach, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesperson Beth Quillian told KOIN. Sub-adult elephant seals, she said, inhabit Oregon beaches in the spring and summer and will molt and rest on the same beach for days or weeks at a time.
'The elephant seal was relocated to a more remote location to prevent disturbance from people,' Quillian said. 'We are not sharing the new location so that the seal remains undisturbed.'
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The elephant seal pup arrived on Neskowin's South Beach late afternoon on February 24. The next day he moved to North Beach Neskowin and settled in on the cove next to Hawk Creek until March 19th.
Marine Mammal Stranding Network volunteers Candice and Gregory Miller told KOIN that the elephant seal pup arrived in the area on Feb. 24 and ultimately settled near Hawk Creek. While elephant seal pups typically practice swimming and hunting before heading out into the ocean, this seal pup was practicing in the nearby creek.
'As is the pattern with elephant seal pups, they are weaned by their mother for 30 days,' the Millers said. 'After the weaning they spend the next two to three months fasting while going out to the ocean practicing their skills of swimming, diving, holding their breath and foraging for food. What was unique in this case was we don't get elephant seals here in Neskowin. Also this little pup, although practicing his skills, was practicing in the creek rather than the ocean.'
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With spring break approaching, Jim Rice, the director for OSU Marine Mammal Stranding Network, and ODFW worked to relocate the elephant seal pup to a more suitable beach.
Beachgoers are prohibited from touching any stranded marine mammals like seals, sea lions, whales or dolphins. If a marine mammal is spotted on the beach, beachgoers can report the animal to the Oregon Marine Mammal Stranding Network by calling or texting [phone].
'Spring is the season when young wildlife are abundant in the landscape,' Quillian said. 'If you come across a young animal alone, it doesn't mean that it needs to be rescued. The best thing to do is leave it where you found it. Please leave wildlife wild. If you come across an animal that appears sick or injured, report to OSP or ODFW.'
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