 |
 |
Baby Seals Start Showing Up on Oregon Coast |
|---|
Covering 180 miles of Oregon coast travel: Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler, Rockaway, Garibaldi, Tillamook, Oceanside, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Waldport, Yachats & Florence.
04/25/08
Secrets of the Season |
Baby Seals Start Showing Up on Oregon Coast
 |
| Tiffany Boothe of Seaside Aquarium photographed the northern fur seal juvenile that was resting on the beach Thursday |
(Seaside, Oregon) - The irresistible little ones have begun popping up on Oregon coast beaches, as birthing season starts up for seals along the shores.
April 18 saw the first one of the season. A newborn harbor seal pup wandered up to the fishing docks at Warrenton, which caused some concern among the fishermen.
The Seaside Aquarium’s Tiffany Boothe responded to that one, as the aquarium is part of the Marine Mammal Stranding Network. It’s their job to post signs telling people to keep away from the seal, as they’re simply resting, in need of a nap, like any baby of any species.
 |
| A particularly adorable baby harbor seal on the beach at Seaside in August of '07. |
The Ocean Lodge. There will not be another property built like this in Cannon Beach in our lifetimes. Rare, premiere ocean front location; handsome, dramatic architecture and tasteful, fun (nostalgic) beach interiors. Overlooks Haystack Rock. 100 percent smoke free. Imaginative special occasion packages. Massive wood burning lobby fireplace. Library w/ fireplace, stocked with impressive book collection. Pet and family friendly. Lavish continental buffet breakfast. In-room fireplaces, mini-kitchens. Jacuzzi tubs in select rooms. DVD players, complimentary movies. Morning paper. Warm cookies. 888-777-4047. 503-436-2241. 2864 Pacific Street. Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.theoceanlodge.com |
“It hung around there for a few days,” Boothe said. “Then we stopped getting calls on that one, so it had gone. It was a newborn, with its umbilical chord still attached and everything.”
The second baby seal of the season showed up Thursday night just a tad south of Fort Stevens State Park.
“A northern fur seal made a brief appearance on Delaura Beach last night,” Boothe said. “The juvenile seal was reported to the Seaside Aquarium at 6:30 p.m. The seal appeared to be healthy and was quite alert.”
Boothe said when aquarium manager Keith Chandler checked on the little guy Friday morning, the seal had gone.
“He sure was cute,” Boothe said.
Northern fur seals normally live in colder waters near Alaska.
 |
| A fur seal that wandered up on the beach three years ago (photo Boothe) |
This one was about a year old, said Chandler, and was two feet long.
Harbor seals live for about 15 years in the wild. The Seaside Aquarium is known for its bevy of harbor seals, which the public can feed. They live a lot longer in captivity, with lifespans of 20 years or more on average, while at the aquarium. The Seaside Aquarium broke that record in the 70’s with a harbor seal named Clara who lived until she was 35.
|
Boothe said seal pups are often found resting on shore while their mothers are hunting for food nearby. This is a normal occurrence and you must leave them alone. It's usually just a matter of time before the mother seal shows up to reclaim her young. They can be left alone for days at a time.
Still, it is even illegal to approach them.
 |
| Aquarium staff also responded to two dead seals earlier this week, having to retrieve the body as they did here, back in the fall of 2007 |
“Another problem is that pups or other marine mammals found alive or dead on the beach may pose a potential health risk,” Booth said. “Untrained people coming into contact with these marine mammals risk exposing themselves, domestic animals and marine mammals to various types of diseases.”
Do not approach, touch or disturb this seal pup or any other marine mammal you may find on the shore. To report other incidents of marine mammal standings on Oregon beaches call 1-800-452-7888 with the following information:
- Your name and a contact telephone number or address
- Accurate location of the mammal and the time that you last observed
the mammal in this location
- General condition of the animal: apparently healthy, sick or injured,
dead, etc.
The Marine mammal Protection Act (MMPA) makes it
illegal to harass, hunt, capture, collect, or kill any marine mammal.
Violations of the MMPA can result in civil penalties of up to $10,000
or criminal penalties of up to $20,000 or up to 1 year in federal prison.
 |
 |
 |
Tradewinds Motel, Rockaway Beach. All rooms are immaculate and have TV’s, VCR’s and in-room phones w/ data ports. Oceanfronts have queen bed, a double hide-a-bed, kitchen, cozy firelog fireplace and private deck. Both types sleep up to four people. Others are appointed for a two-person romantic getaway, yet still perfect for those on a budget. Elaborate oceanfront Jacuzzi suite has two bedrooms, kitchen, double hide-a-bed, fireplace and private deck, sleeping as many as six. For family reunions or large gatherings such as weddings, some rooms can connect to create two-room and three-room suites. Some rooms pet friendly. 523 N. Pacific St., Rockaway Beach. (503) 355-2112 - 1-800-824-0938. www.tradewinds-motel.com |
 Inn
at Cannon Beach. Beautifully wooded natural setting at quiet south
end of Cannon Beach. Great during winter storms with a new book by
the fireplace – or when the sun is out for family fun and beach
strolling. Handsome beach cottage-style architecture. Lush flowering
gardens and naturalized courtyard pond. Warm, inviting guest rooms.
Continental buffet breakfast. Warm Cookies. Family and Pet Friendly.
Welcome gifts. Smoke-free. Complimentary Wireless Connectivity. Wine
and book signing events. 800-321-6304 or 503-436-9085. Hemlock At
Surfcrest, Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.atcannonbeach.com. |
 |
 |
 |
D Sands Condominium Motel, Lincoln City. Free, fresh baked cookie upon check-in is just the start. All rooms beachfront and up against Lincoln City's most famous stretch of beach: the D River. Each room comes as a suite or mini-suite, and has a kitchen and balcony or patio. Some w/ gas fireplaces, while all have a DVD Players; movies to rent come with free popcorn. Heated indoor pool, a spa, and this fabulous beach is lit at night. Rooms sleep from two, four to six - including a deluxe fireplace suite. Gift certificates orspecial occasion packages. www.dsandsmotel.com. 171 S.W. Highway 101. 800-527-3925. |
 |
 |
 |
Arch
Cape Property Services.
Dozens of homes in that dreamy,
rugged stretch between Cannon Beach and Manzanita known as Arch
Cape. Oceanfront and ocean view , or just a short walk from the
sea. |
Inn At Spanish Head, Lincoln City. Lincoln City’s only resort hotel built right on the beach with all oceanfront rooms - nestled against a rugged cliffside overlooking a soft, sandy beach. Dine in penthouse restaurant and bar, for casual meal or candlelight dinner. An array of seafood specialties, juicy steaks and other Northwest favorites, including decadent Sunday buffet. Rooms range from bedrooms to studios to 1-bedroom suites with microwaves and refrigerators to full kitchens. Also, wi-fi, spa, saunas, exercise room and year-round heated swimming pool. Kids will love the game room and easy beach access. Full-service conference/meeting rooms for that inspirational retreat; extensive wedding possibilities. 4009 SW Highway 101, Lincoln City. 1-800-452-8127 or 541-996-2161. www.spanishhead.com |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
RELATED STORIES
Click here for video of Dec. storm aftermath
Oregon Coast Best of Awards for the Year And the winners are: best of Oregon coast restaurants, lodgings, science, odd events in nature and stunning moments for 2007
Watching Transformations of Oregon Coast Beaches Seasons change and so do beaches, revealing different sides and a variety of eye-popping sights
Staggeringly Cool Ideas for Oregon Coast Romance Be it the season of Valentine's or be it any time of the year, Oregon's coastline has essentially cornered the market for cuddle-inducing possibilities and gushy activities for the hand-holding set
Day or Night Mysteries and Merriment on Oregon Coast It's more than just nightlife that comes to life, but the beaches offer major opportunities
Oregon Coast Travel Site Goes Wireless Provides Lodging Reports - Oregon Coast Beach Connection now has mobile lodging and dining listings, along with weekly lodging availability reports
|
Oregon coast mileage chart & map Day trips, suggested itineraries Search for Oregon Coast Subjects, Articles Oregon Coast Complete Guides every beach access, attraction |
|||||||||||||
OR
TAKE THE VIRTUAL TOUR |
|||||||||||||
|
For weekly updated info on lodgings and accomodation reviews, see the Travel News section