Harbor seal pup reunited with mom near Point Lobos

A harbor seal pup, who recently got trapped between some large shoreline rocks at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, was reunited his mother a short time later.

According to the Marine Mammal Center, the pup was rescued by a team of people who scaled the rocks and safely removed the pup, while keeping a safe distance.

The pup was relocated to a nearby boat ramp to see if it would reunite with his mother. Half an hour later, the two reconnected after the pup spotted his mother in the water, according to the Center’s Monterey Bay Operations.

Marine mammal experts said the pup dipped into the water, circled around and called for its mother before the reunion. Moments later, they touched noses, circled each other and she brought him to shore to nurse.

“This story definitely demonstrates just how time-consuming and tenuous the waiting part of a rescue can be,” said Julia O’Hern, Operations Manager at the Center’s Monterey Bay Operations. “Thanks to members of the public resisting the urge to pick the animal up or get too close, they gave this pup a better chance of survival.”

The MMC said it was alerted to the trapped pup by calls from the public. The center shares these tips when coming across harbor seals and elephant seals:

-The best thing for people to do is to keep their distance! It’s ok to take photos and admire the animals, but remember to keep a safe distance of at least 50 feet.

-If an animal appears ill or injured, or you don’t see the mom nearby, please don’t try to intervene. Call the Center’s 24-hour rescue hotline at 415-289-SEAL (7325). The Center will monitor the animal for 24 hours or more, depending on the situation and, if necessary, trained volunteers will rescue it safely.

-The distinctive “mah! mah!” cry of a harbor seal pup may sound like a call for help, but it’s never a good idea to interfere. The mother may be just off-shore foraging for food for her pup, and if a human or dog gets too close, she may abandon the pup altogether.

-Elephant seal pups should also be enjoyed from a safe distance. Like their harbor seal counterparts, they are quite photogenic on the beach and susceptible to encroachment.

-Keeping a safe distance goes for drones too! Flying a drone too close to a resting seal or sea lion could harass and negatively alter its behavior, a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Please remember to fly your drone responsibly and film wildlife at a safe distance.