sea lion at Morro Rock
Sara Heinrichs
Lovely juvenile sea lion on the beach at Morro Strand, north of Morro Rock (looming in the background).
This young sea lion came ashore in the midafternoon, on a beach with plenty of people, horses, and dogs running around, and allowed people to approach him quite closely.
At first excited by the photographic opportunity, I didn't realize anything was wrong. When I zoomed in to take some detail shots, I noticed that his chest was trembling. He would move forward, but sometimes lose his balance and fall forward, stumble and catch himself, then tremble more. I kept thinking how I had never seen a seal come ashore like that, and not make a break for the water when people approached. He was clearly in distress, and also quite dangerous. Children would run up to him, an older man stood between him and the water and he rocked back and forth, very upset, but only shuffled a few feet, then trembled again.
I spoke to a young family nearby (whose young daughter I had been photographing), asking if they knew of any seal rescue group to contact. They recommended I speak to the ranger at the nearby campground, said they would feel better about leaving if they knew I was calling someone about it.
The ranger gave me the number of the Marine Mammal Center in Monterey, who took my name & number and paged someone to call me back. Several calls later, after they realized I was not just exaggerating his condition, they said they would try to send someone out by nightfall, and if they didn't make it then, first thing in the morning.
I was quite dejected, really. I knew that people were harassing him, though without meaning too. I knew he was scared and sick, and that there was also the possibility of someone getting really hurt if they got too close and he charged them. I plunked down in the sand and watched him for a bit, then got another call. They asked again about his condition and, to my delight, said they had someone in Morro Bay and they would be right there.
Within a half hour, they arrived and I got to witness (and photograph, though I only had limited memory left) the capture and rescue of this young seal. He will be taken to a holding tank in Monterey, where he may be saved.
They told me about the "red tide," algae blooms that make mackerel and anchovies toxic to the seals that eat them. The seals essentially poison themselves, create neuromuscular failure (the shaking and loss of balance I witnessed) and do often die if not treated, detoxified.
I hope I can check on the status of my little seal. I hope he makes it, and I while it was amazing to see him so close, I hope I don't see anything like it again, because it means another one is in trouble.
Thanks to the Marine Mammal Rescue people who responded so quickly to my call. Thanks to the K. family as well for their help (and the lovely photos of their daughter).
Later this week I'll upload more photos of the seal, the rescue, and the family who helped out in his capture.
Update: Called about the seal today. He made it through the night and is in a holding tank at the marine hospital. He hasn't had any more seizures and, though they weren't willing to guess whether he'll make it, he's doing pretty well! Yay. :)
View Project:
