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PORT ANGELES — The Hollywood Beach seal has moved to quieter quarters.
But she didn’t go there by choice.
For her own protection — and the safety of the general public — the adolescent elephant seal that came ashore on Hollywood Beach over the weekend was moved Tuesday to the beaches near the U.S. Coast Guard/Air Station Port Angeles at the end of Ediz Hook by scientists from the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary.
“The decision was based on the seal’s health and the public’s health, both,” marine sanctuary research coordinator Ed Bowlby said.
“We’re not sure if it’s molting or if it’s just been weened from it’s mother. It’s just now learning to feed for itself.”
The decision to move the seal was made by the Northwest Marine Mammal Stranding Network, a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Protected Resources.
With about two dozen people looking on, three scientists placed the seal into a net and loaded her into a green Chevrolet minivan with government-issued plates and left the City Pier.
The cub flapped its paws but didn’t struggle when placed into the net.
Her estimated age is between four and six months.
EARLIER REPORT:
PORT ANGELES — A female elephant seal climbed onto Hollywood Beach over the weekend and is making itself at home.
The seal is in the process of molting — a time in which the animal loses part of its skin and hair, said Bob Steelquist, public information officer for the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Discovery Center.
“They often look very mangy and sick during this time,” Steelquist said.
“It can be a painful time for the animal.”
He warned that passers-by should not touch or approach the seal.
“If she gets aggravated, she could lunge and bite someone — and it is a large-toothed animal,” he said.
No pets
He added that pets should also be kept away, as domesticated animals sometimes carry viruses that could be transmitted to the seal in its delicate condition.
“Then it could easily spread throughout the wild population,” he said.
He said people should stay at least 100 feet away from the animal.
Port Angeles Polices Department put up barricades and plastic tape on Sunday to warn people to stay away.
“It is a federal offense to harass them,” Sgt. Glenn Roggenbuck said.
It is not uncommon for the animals to climb up on the beach, Steelquist said.
“Sometimes they have much more attractive isolated areas to go for this process,” he said.
“But I guess City Pier and Hollywood Beach must be very attractive, too.”
North migration
The animals are in the process of migrating north, Steelquist said.
“One time, we found one from Año Nuevo State Reserve [in California],” Steelquist said.
“Most of the time, we don’t know where they came from, but one time, we found one that was tagged from there.”
Steelquist said the female elephant seals don’t have the signature “trunk” on the nose as the males do.
If too many people approach the animal, it might have to be moved.
“If we have to move it, that becomes a serious thing,” he said.
“That is a huge disturbance to it in a time that it is already going through an uncomfortable process.”
