Latest news with #WestCoastMarineMammalStrandingNetwork
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Seaside Aquarium says ‘share the shore' with young elephant seal resting on beach
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Local experts are cautioning beachgoers to 'share the shore' after a young elephant seal was found lounging on the Seaside beach Tuesday morning. According to the Seaside Aquarium, the seal is going through its annual 'molt,' where they shed their fur and outer layer of skin on land. As dramatic as this sounds, they aquarium assures it is a completely normal process and the animal is just resting. Friends of the Columbia Gorge fear the scenic area won't receive funding from Washington 'It does not need to be fed and do not pour water on this animal; it can get to the water on its own,' they added. During molting, elephant seals can stay in the same place for weeks at a time. As a result, the aquarium says to stay at least 100 yards away from the seal and keep dogs on a leash. Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort is no longer on the market The animal is also being monitored by volunteers with the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network. The northern elephant seal is the largest in the Northern Hemisphere, the Seaside Aquarium says. In particular, the adult males are known for their distinctive, inflatable noses they use to vocally threaten other males during winter breeding season. Additionally, they have one of the longest migrations of any mammal, with some having traveled over 13,000 miles roundtrip. Northern elephant seals are also a conservation success story. Once thought to be extinct because of commercial sealing in the 1800s, a small population survived in Mexico and began to increase in the early 1900s. Now, wildlife officials estimate that there are around 150,000 total elephant seals, around the size it was before hunting. The largest colonies of northern elephant seals are found off southern California in the Channel Islands. Further, the elephant seal and all marine mammals are currently protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
WATCH: Friendly seal hops onto Tacoma rower's boat
A Tacoma rower's boat got the 'seal' of approval last week. On Feb. 6, Todd Silver took his single-rower Pocock racing shell out for a spin on the Thea Foss Waterway. While paddling around, he came across a friendly face: a small seal. He caught the encounter on camera. 'Good morning, little buddy,' Silver is heard greeting the marine mammal. 'Go ahead, climb up,' he said. In a matter of seconds, the seal uses its flippers to pull itself onto the front of the boat. Silver used his oars to help balance the pair and keep the boat from tipping over. This isn't the first time he believes the two have crossed paths. Silver said a seal stopped by to say hello on Feb. 3 as well and he thinks it's the same one. Harbor seals are the most common marine mammal along the Pacific Coast. The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) says if you ever see a pup alone, don't worry- they are usually fine. 'Their mothers are out hunting food to meet the demands of nursing and weaning,' WDFW says. If you think a marine mammal is sick, injured, or abandoned, call the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network and make a report.