This Elephant Seal was struck by a motor boat at Race Rocks in January of 2003. Fortunately he has recovered well as can be seen her in two videos taken by Mike Slater in July and August ,2003. See the footage taken of his original injuries here.
2009: We have called this elephant seal “SLASH” and he now has his own page here
MPA Guardian Carol Slater’s comments on these animals in the Daily log of Jan19, Feb 11, Feb13, Feb 14 and Mar 1, 2003
Human disruption in a seabird nesting colony at certain times of the year can have disastrous consequences for young birds. The territorial instinct is so strong that young birds leaving the envelope of their nesting territory get attacked by other adults of nearby territories. This incident was precipitated when a Canadian Coast Guard helicopter made an unscheduled landing at the island in August 2003. Normally they do not come to the island in the sensitive period, this time a mistake was made!