Tag:

seal

Business

Seal Pup Spotted on Boogie Board at Old Orchard Beach

by Chief Editor
written by Chief Editor

A seal pup was recently spotted floating on an unused boogie board near Stratton Island, Maine, according to photos shared by Keeper Charters with Maine’s Total Coverage. The sighting occurred in the Saco Bay area, where customers of the Saco-based fishing tour company observed the pup navigating the water near a known harbor seal colony.

Where was the seal pup spotted?

The sighting took place in the waters near Stratton Island, located off the coast of Old Orchard Beach. According to a Facebook post from Keeper Charters, the animal was seen utilizing a discarded boogie board as a float.

Where was the seal pup spotted?

The location is significant because Stratton Island is home to a harbor seal colony. This proximity explains why seal activity is frequent in the Saco Bay area, though the use of human debris by a pup is a notable observation reported by the tour company.

Did you know?
Harbor seals often use floating objects or kelp to rest between dives, helping them conserve energy while staying near the surface.

How did the sighting come to light?

Customers on a tour with Keeper Charters reported seeing the pup floating near the island. Marco Lamothe, who runs the Saco-based fishing tour company, shared the images with Maine’s Total Coverage to document the event.

Photos of seal pup spotted on a boogie board off of Old Orchard Beach

Keeper Charters operates in the Saco Bay area, providing fishing tours for groups of up to six people. The company’s social media presence allowed the images of the pup “hanging out in style,” as described in their post, to reach a wider audience.

What is the connection to Stratton Island?

The presence of the pup is directly linked to the local ecosystem. Because Stratton Island contains a harbor seal colony, the surrounding waters are a natural habitat for these animals.

What is the connection to Stratton Island?

While the boogie board provided an unusual platform for the pup, the sighting highlights the intersection of local wildlife habitats and human activity in the Old Orchard Beach region. The pup’s presence near the colony suggests it was likely foraging or resting within its natural range.

Pro Tip:
When observing marine life like seals in Maine, maintain a respectful distance. Using binoculars allows for close observation without disturbing the animal’s natural behavior or causing it stress.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Where is Keeper Charters located?
    The company is located in Saco, Maine, and operates fishing tours in the Saco Bay area.
  • What kind of seals live near Old Orchard Beach?
    The area near Stratton Island is known to host a harbor seal colony.
  • How many people can join a Keeper Charters tour?
    The company takes up to six people at a time for their fishing tours.

Have you spotted unique wildlife in Maine? Share your stories in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for more local updates.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Business

Rare Purple Elephant Seal Stuns Tourists at Año Nuevo State Park

by Chief Editor
written by Chief Editor

An elephant seal spotted with a vibrant purple coat at California’s Año Nuevo State Park was stained by contact with red algae rather than suffering from a health condition or dietary abnormality. According to park officials, the marine mammal’s unusual coloration occurred during the annual molting season, which brings roughly 10,000 pinnipeds to the San Mateo County shoreline between April and August.

Why did the seal turn purple?

The purple hue was a temporary cosmetic effect caused by the seal resting on a patch of red algae that had washed ashore. While park officials initially considered theories ranging from a diet of purple sea urchins to internal bleeding, they confirmed that the algae simply stained the animal’s outer layer of skin and fur. This phenomenon is transient, and the seal’s coat is expected to return to its natural color as the algae fades or is shed during the ongoing molting process.

Did you know?
Elephant seals undergo a process called “catastrophic molting.” Unlike many other mammals that shed fur gradually, these seals lose their entire outer layer of skin and fur all at once during their time on the beach.

What is the annual molting season at Año Nuevo?

Between April and August, Año Nuevo State Park becomes a hub for approximately 10,000 pinnipeds. These animals congregate on the beaches to shed their old, weathered coats and grow a fresh layer of skin and fur. During this vulnerability, the seals spend significant time lounging on the sand, which increases the likelihood of them coming into contact with organic materials like algae that wash up with the tide.

How do environmental factors affect marine wildlife?

Marine life at coastal parks frequently interacts with seasonal biological shifts. The presence of red algae is a natural occurrence, and while it created a “striking appearance” that caught the attention of park visitors, it poses no danger to the seals. Officials at Año Nuevo noted that the incident serves as a reminder of how dynamic the coastal environment is, particularly during peak animal activity seasons.

Elephant Seals at Ano Nuevo SP Jan 2015

Public reaction and engagement

The sighting triggered a wave of social media engagement after the park shared photos of the animal on Instagram. The post, which asked if followers had ever seen a seal that looked like it “took a bath in grape juice,” drew humorous comparisons from the public. Comments ranged from calling the animal a “Valkyries Seal” to suggesting it had been “chilling after eating a lot of grapes.”

Pro Tip:
If you are visiting a state park and see wildlife displaying unusual colors or behaviors, keep a safe distance and report your observations to park rangers rather than approaching the animal.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is the purple color harmful to the seal? No. According to park officials, the stain is temporary and caused by contact with harmless red algae.
  • When is the best time to see molting seals? The molting season at Año Nuevo State Park occurs annually between April and August.
  • Why do seals molt? Molting allows seals to shed their old, worn-out skin and fur to grow a fresh, healthy coat.

Have you spotted interesting wildlife at a state park? Share your stories in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for more updates on coastal nature and conservation efforts.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Health

Bird Flu Outbreak Kills Thousands of Seal Pups on Heard Island

by Chief Editor
written by Chief Editor

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5) has killed more than 13,000 southern elephant seal pups on Heard Island, an Australian external territory in the Southern Ocean. Researchers estimate this figure represents over 75% of the island’s pup population. The findings, published in the scientific journal BioRxiv, mark the first time the virus has been confirmed in an Australian territory, raising concerns about the potential for further spread across sub-Antarctic regions.

Why are elephant seals so vulnerable to H5 bird flu?

Southern elephant seals are disproportionately affected by the virus because of their specific breeding behaviors. According to the research report, these seals return to the same dense, crowded colonies every year. Because they are unlikely to abandon these infected sites, they become trapped in disease hotspots. This behavior facilitates the rapid transmission of H5, potentially leading to recurring annual outbreaks if the virus persists in the local environment.

Why are elephant seals so vulnerable to H5 bird flu?
Did you know?

Researchers used drone technology to conduct 120 flights over 54 hours to gather this data. This allowed them to survey remote areas inaccessible by foot, covering 1,600 kilometers of terrain compared to just 8.8 kilometers covered by ground teams.

How does this outbreak compare to previous global events?

The devastation observed on Heard Island mirrors patterns seen in other parts of the world. Data from Argentina in 2022 showed a 96% mortality rate among elephant seal pups, with only one-third of the adults returning to breed the following year. Similarly, in South Georgia, the number of breeding females dropped by 47% between 2022 and 2024. These precedents suggest that the impact on population numbers often extends beyond the initial mortality event, affecting future breeding cycles.

What is the risk to the Australian mainland?

There is currently no evidence of H5 bird flu on the Australian mainland or Tasmania, according to the federal government. Environment Minister Murray Watt confirmed that the government has invested $113 million in preparedness efforts, with an additional $11.2 million allocated in the latest budget to support at-risk species. While the virus has reached sub-Antarctic territories, officials maintain that planning and monitoring are ongoing to detect any potential incursion.

Bird flu confirmed in elephant seal population on Australia's Heard Island | ABC NEWS

Pro Tip: Monitoring Wildlife Health

Conservation experts emphasize that the best defense for native wildlife is maintaining strong, healthy populations. Reducing environmental stressors and monitoring for unusual mortality events are critical steps in managing the long-term resilience of species vulnerable to avian influenza.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is bird flu currently in Australia? No, the virus has not been detected on the Australian mainland or Tasmania.
  • Which species are at risk? While the mass mortality was observed in southern elephant seals, the virus was also detected in king penguins, gentoo penguins, Antarctic fur seals, brown skuas, and South Georgia diving petrels.
  • Why is this outbreak considered “catastrophic”? Researchers warn that the high density of breeding colonies in the Southern Ocean creates ideal conditions for rapid viral transmission among vulnerable, threatened species.

Stay informed about the latest developments in wildlife conservation and biosecurity by subscribing to our weekly newsletter. Have questions about the research? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail