Seal hotline sends teams out to separate humans, pups

It happened only a few weeks ago.

A Vashon Island woman, worried about the safety of a harbor seal that had come ashore to rest on a nearby beach, decided to take matters into her own hands. Thinking the seal was on the beach because it needed help, the woman took the seal home and put it in her bathtub.

“For a seal, that’s a death sentence,” said Susan Morrow, a ranger at the Edmonds waterfront. By the time rescuers got to the animal, “it was too far gone. They had to euthanize it.”

It is this situation and others like it that Morrow, along with a dedicated pack of volunteers, hopes to prevent with the Edmonds Seal Sitting program, founded by Morrow last year.

The program works to educate the public on seal safety for the sake of both animals and humans on Brackett’s Landing, Olympic and Marina beaches in Edmonds.

Adult seals, explained Morrow, tend to leave when they see humans, but seal pups often stay on shore when people are around. “People don’t seem to realize that hauling out is normal,” she said. “They rest and interact with each other while the mothers are out hunting. Adult seals are wary (of people), but pups haven’t learned that wariness yet.”

So, when people see a pup seemingly stranded on shore, their inclination is to “help” it in some way — feed it, pet it, “even throw water on it,” Morrow said.

When people are around, mothers may abandon their pups because of the commotion. Pups cannot survive without their mothers’ milk.

Interaction can be dangerous for humans as well. Seals carry a number of parasites and can pass many diseases along to humans.

The ideal situation is for locals spotting a seal to call Morrow on the special “seal phone.” Then the seal sitters can spring into action. Morrow responds to where the seal is, checking to make sure the marine mammal is healthy and uninjured. If it’s not, Morrow calls in the appropriate professional help.

If the seal is in good condition — as the vast majority of Puget Sound seals on shore are — Morrow calls on volunteers to “seal sit” while the seal remains on shore, which can range from a few minutes to up to 48 hours.

Volunteers use cones to block off the area, a sign to explain their purpose and educational materials to give to the public. They get a water bottle, chair and good book while they prepare to sit for a few hours, rotating with other volunteers throughout the seal’s stay.

Morrow trains volunteers at her home and on the beach. Right now, she has about 20, all willing to come when she calls.

Rangers, noted Morrow, are all trained to deal with seals and the public. “But seals don’t only come when rangers are on duty,” she said, prompting her to begin the program, which she runs as a volunteer apart from her ranger duties.

Morrow hails from Alberta, Canada, but moved to the Puget Sound area five years ago. She was immediately intrigued by the coast, began volunteering at the ranger station within two weeks, and was hired as an employee a year later. She still regularly volunteers at the Seattle Aquarium.

So far the program is working out well, said Morrow, who often receives multiple calls relating to a single seal.

“It’s gratifying to get calls,” she said. “It means people care enough to do that right thing.”

The Puget Sound seal population is thriving, Morrow said. Remaining stable with a consistent population of 15,000 in the area, seals and sea lions are native to the region and have enjoyed a healthy life in the sound, along with an array of other native creatures.

The population — classified as pinnipeds — consists mainly of harbor seals, some sea lions and the rarer elephant seals.

Pinnipeds in Edmonds tend to haul out around the pier, or in rocky areas, said Morrow.

“We rely on people’s good will (to call),” she said.

“And if you’re a real citizen,” Morrow added with a smile, “you might stick around to talk to other people (about seal safety) before help comes.”

What to do

If you encounter a seal or sea lion on an Edmonds beach front, ranger Susan Morrow says, never touch the seal. Instead, call the seal hotline at 425-327-3336 or 911, which can connect you with the hotline.