Wolf Hollow: Early First Seal Pup of 2020
Posted June 3, 2020 at 11:43 am by Tim Dustrude
On May 31st we received our first Harbor Seal pup of the season. This is 3-4 weeks earlier than we usually start caring for seals, but this pup came from Ocean Shores on the outer coast of the Olympic Peninsula, where pupping season is earlier than it is around the San Juans.
She was seen alone on the shore and in the water nearby for several days, and over the busy holiday weekend, was being constantly harassed by people trying to take photos or get her back into the water. A Washington Department of Wildlife biologist rescued the pup and took her to a vet clinic for initial care.
When she arrived at Wolf Hollow, we discovered that she was emaciated (only weighed 14 pounds), dehydrated, had wounds on her flippers and had an umbilical infection, but she was active and had a very loud voice.
She is now in our seal nursery, being fed a special high-fat formula and taking short swims, while she regains her strength and starts to put on weight. Our naming theme this year is Scientists, so this pup has been named Fossey.
Dian Fossey was an American primatologist and conservationist known for undertaking an extensive study of mountain gorilla groups from 1966 until her 1985 murder. She studied them daily in the mountain forests of Rwanda, initially encouraged to work there by paleoanthropologist Louis Leakey. It is very apt that our first seal is named in her honor.
Being one of our more expensive programs donations are always welcome. Thank you.
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