These are images taken yesterday of the new elephant seal pup at Race Rocks . (by resident Ecoguardian Alex Fletcher). The pup has been nursing regularly and the male “Chunk” is not bothering it so far.
The students of the Marine Science classes from Lester Pearson College were able to get out to Race Rocks to observe the new arrival first hand from a safe distance. 
Arrival of elephant seal pup watched around the world
Sandra McCulloch / Times Colonist
January 14, 2014 09:15 P
An elephant seal and her pup at Race Rocks Ecological Reserve. Photograph by: Alexander Fletcher
An elephant seal pup is nursing at its mother’s side at Race Rocks Ecological Reserve, oblivious to the fact a camera is sending its image around the world.
The pup was born Monday evening — the first birth of an elephant seal this year on the main island, said Garry Fletcher, educational director for the reserve’s website.
Another elephant seal was born last week on one of the smaller islands but rough weather washed it into the sea where it perished.
“All the ones that are born on the outer islands get washed off,” Fletcher said Tuesday. “This one is from a mother that’s had young ones there four or five times before.”
Race Rocks is the only spot in Canada where elephant seals breed, Fletcher said. Normally, elephant seals choose breeding colonies in Oregon or northern California.
There are usually a few elephant seals hanging out at Race Rocks throughout the year, Fletcher said. Last June, a record high of 15 elephant seals were counted on the reef.
Elephant seals are far out-numbered at Race Rocks by their cousins, California sea lions and northern sea lions. Males can grow to four metres in length and weigh 2.3 tonnes, more than a average car, and are often twice as big as male California sea lions.
Harbour seals, which are smaller and much more commonly seen along the coast, also use Race Rocks to breed.
The numbers of elephant sea lions are rebounding after being hunted to near extinction by the end of the 19th century. Elephant seals are now protected under the Fisheries Act.
To see live images of the baby elephant seal, go to the Race Rocks website.
© Copyright Times Colonist
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Last night Bertha had her pup, we have a preliminary account on the Ecological Reserves website here:
Rain, wind N 10-15 NMPH
Chunk started going after Bertha around noon and was definitely trying to mate but without any luck. He also seemed interested in something towards the West and was sniffing the air and poking his head up. When i went outside to check on things I could hear the distinct sound of an elephant seal pup calling its mother. Chunk and I both went over to the west side of the island to get a better look. I could see two females on the rock and several eagles and seagulls around hoping to get some leftovers from the birth. I could just make our the dark head of a pup poking up occasionally from behind a rock. Chunk left the island and by dusk I could see him on Middle rock near the mother and pup. Bertha is back by the science centre getting some peace and rest.
4 videos of the elephant seal birth in 2016
Announcement in the Log – Ecological reserves –Update on Elephant seals Birth of this years elephant seal pup occurred as scheduled on January 14, 2016, same date as 2014.
The Jan 2015 pup was stillborn.
The posts for the follow-up of this pup are at https://www.racerocks.ca/e-seal-pup-born/
All posts on elephant seals at Race Rocks from the website. All posts on elephant seal births at Race Rocks
Big Steller – Little Steller
These are some of the more interesting photos the last week. I was able to lend a hand to the International Boundary Commission technician who set up a GPS unit on the top of the tower in order to accurately determine the location of the US/Canada border.. to with in 4 decimal places! Why? Because we can!
Pigeon Guillemots
The Guillemots are starting to nest along with the Glaucous-winged Gulls
Pinky in the Flowers
This little female found a nice spot to spend a few days….
Sunset Gull
Swiftsure-Driftsure
Stunning sunset…
A parade of sailing vessels…
Rambunctous Youth
Lots of jousting from these young males
Rambunctous Youth
There have been two tagged elephant seals on the main island over the past days, green tags 6397 and 6375. Misery has been on the main island, younger male on west rock. There continue to be a total of around 15 elephant seals in the reserve.
The yearling in the two photos on the left looks like she could be the one that was born here in January (named Squall) but it is hard to tell for sure.
green tag 6375
A big sleek elephant seal arrived yesterday and proceeded to block the boat ramp until I shooed her away and was able to launch. At some point she rolled over and I saw the big scar on her belly! Bertha had returned, but was looking sleek and fully recovered from the challenges of giving birth and feeding her newborn 3 months earlier. Neither Squall nor Bertha paid much attention to one another, but I haven’t mastered the nuances of e-seal communication techniques so I may have missed something!
photos 1-3 credit Helene Cyr
A little tickle with the paddle after cajoling and pleading had no effect…
There are plenty of pigeon guillemots around to cheer up my day! I love their bright red/orange feet and the way they splash into the water when they settle down.
I am making final preparations to leave Race Rocks today after a 2 month shift. Mike Robinson will be returning to take over responsibilities. It has been a good time with some good storms, great students, and one special little elephant seal.
On Friday late afternoon for the first time I saw Squall in the shallow water near the jetty. She didn’t venture any deeper than 2 ft and was usually only partially submerged.
She spent a lot of time with her head in the 
water and sliding around on the rocks in the small breaking waves. She has been making her way down to the boat ramp area most evenings and back up in the mornings.
I have been working on finishing up two projects: compost container and building a base for a flammables container in the boat house.
There were 4 eco-tour vessels in the reserve on Saturday and 1 on Sunday.
Squall has just positioned herself directly in front of the basement door blocking my exit, I will miss her.
This morning was the first time that I have seen Squall take to the sea. While i didn’t actually seen her in the water I saw her coming up the boat ramp clearly wet after having been in the water. It may be that she has gone in the ocean previously at night or when I wasn’t around but this is the first time I have even seen her near the boat ramp, which, with its 
gentle smooth slope, is the preferred haul out for elephant seals on the island. Maybe it is just a coincidence but this morning we also reached the highest barometric pressure (115 hPa) that we have had in almost 2 weeks. She will be 10 weeks old tomorrow.
The female elephant seal tagged 5086/4665 left the boat ramp area on Tuesday. 6355 is still in the south bay.
On Monday Erik brought out 3 students to the island who stayed overnight and returned the following day. Today a group of 9 will be coming out the island for the weekend.
