After 10 days on the island, the elephant seal gave birth in the early morning.  It took several hours for them (mom bellowing and pub squawking) to organizing themselves in the right position for the young pup to find a teat.  This is the first pup born here in three years. In 2023 there were three pups, in 2022 two pups, and in 2021, five pups were born. I believe this is the first year that no adult males where present to mate with the new mothers.

The wet pups first feed this morning.

Elephant seal milk is 55% fat.

The placenta lay there the entire day unnoticed by any scavenging birds.

Photos below of the pup scratching and snoozing.

A pod of killer whales swam past the west shore this morning. Normally this would be the highlight of the day!

Facility work

• Produced 360 L of fresh water
• Moving firewood further on shore

Visitors

Two groups of marine biology students visited the island with their notebooks for a lecture.

Vessels

• Ecotourism: 1
• Private: 0

Weather

Clear skies. Gentle southeasterly breeze. Daytime temperatures 6 to 10 degrees.