Wildlife notes

The great excitement of the day was the very young harbour seal pup that was dropped off on the boat ramp. Apparently it is not unheard-of for moms to leave their pubs on docks or beaches and come back for them later. I didn’t know this at time when I spotted it coming down to do the daily sea water readings. It was so tiny, moving little and awkwardly and I saw some red and what at first glance appeared to be its intestine protruding out. There were killer whales here yesterday and my first thought was its mom had been killed and the pub had narrowly escaped. I took photos, called Kendra, learned it was likely an umbilical chord. My next immediate worry was that the elephant seal who was in the water 10m away would steamroll up the ramp and flatten the little thing as they do with gull nests or other objects in their path. We are not allowed to interfere with nature and I couldn’t bear to watch so I left to finish cleaning the solar panels.

When I returned 20 minutes later, the pup was in the water calling for its mother.  An adult harbour seal approached also calling and both disappeared from view. A short while later the elephant seal came up the ramp. Ah, all ended well!

Young harbour seal pump on the boat ramp

Elephant seal coming up the boat ramp

Facility work

• cleaned the solar panels
• started cleaning the Battery Room

Vessels

• Ecotourism: 12
• Private: 2

Weather

Sun with scattered clouds. WNW winds strong breeze to near gale all day with gusts up to 36. Daytime temperatures: low 11, high 16.