Stabbed Seal Ends Up Having Comic Adventures on Oregon / Washington Coast

Published 05/08/25 at 6:45 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Seaside, Oregon) – The injured juvenile elephant seal that caused an outpouring of outrage and sympathy had an essentially happy ending, it turns out. The seal had been stabbed by a beachgoer at Neskowin back in March, but after that wandered rather carefree along the north Oregon coast and south Washington coast for the next six weeks, creating a bit of a humorous spectacle.

The seal was likely just weaned and recently on its own when it landed at Neskowin, said Keith Chandler, manager of Seaside Aquarium. It lounged around there for about three weeks before someone stabbed it several times.

Wildlife experts checked it out, and to give it a better chance of healing they moved it to Cape Lookout, about 20 minutes north.

It was not taken care of by Seaside Aquarium – as these situations often are. It's below their coverage range as part of the Marine Mammal Stranding Network. But the 180-pound goofball ended up in their laps – and somewhat comically.

By April 1, the little guy had swam his way north to Seaside, Chandler told Oregon Coast Beach Connection.

South jetty, Fort Stevens (Oregon Coast Beach Connection)

“He was there for 10 days, so we moved him to the jetty at Warrenton,” Chandler said.

Seaside Aquarium's Tiffany Boothe said the stab wounds were luckily superficial and did not get far under the seal's blubber.

Once he arrived in Seaside the shenanigans began. Chandler said the baby seal did not fear people at all and was extremely comfortable just bounding around Seaside. He did not scare anyone, as these stranded creatures often do.

Another elephant seal incident in recent years (Seaside Aquarium photo)

“He was very active,” Chandler said. “He was not aggressive at all, not afraid of people. Just real friendly. At Seaside, he was hangin' out by the women's bathroom side of the Turaround, then he realized that was the wrong side he moved and hung out by the men's side.”

Those mulling around Seaside and other areas were respectful of the signs telling them to keep away, Chandler said.

That went on for a few days. Then he sauntered his way up the beach a little and simply sat on or near the steps close to the Seaside Aquarium. This – ironically – scared people away from entering the aquarium.

“So we decided it was time to get him outta here,” Chandler said.

After bringing him to the jetty of Fort Stevens, that lasted a mere three days before he was goofing around civilization again, this time on the Washington coast.

“He was at the docks at Ilwaco,” Chandler said. “He was hangin' out in the parking lot, where the businesses are. He was friendly and didn't fear people at all.”

So the Seaside Aquarium had to intervene again.

“We brought him up to Leadbetter Point, up at the very northern tip of the Long Beach Peninsula,” Chandler said.

That was the middle of April. It appears he's gone off to live his life.

Oregon Coast Hotels - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours

Chandler was surprised how cozy the elephant seal was around other humans. It was as if he'd been around humans before, but according to those who rescued him earlier that wasn't the case.

“I had to put him in the carrier twice and he was the easiest animal I've ever had to deal with,” Chandler said. “He wasn't tagged, but hadn't been with people before. He was just a kind soul.”

Federal and state authorities are still looking for the suspect in the stabbing.

Investigators are also seeking information regarding a vehicle linked to the case. The vehicle is described as a dark blue Dodge or Chrysler van from the 1990s, with a rear passenger window covered in plastic and an interior appearing cluttered. The van was spotted in a parking lot near the cove behind the Proposal Rock Condominiums. See drawling below:

Officials urge anyone with information to contact NOAA’s Enforcement Hotline at (800) 853-1964. Tips can be provided anonymously.

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

Washington Coast / Oregon Coast Articles (stories are random: hit reload to see different articles)

Astoria's Crab, Seafood, Wine Fest Floods N. Oregon Coast with Yumminess in A...
April 25 to 27 at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds. Astoria events, Cannon Beach events

Hatfield Science Day Returns April 12 With Unique Tours, Including Oregon Coa...
Climb aboard a ship, take special tours, touch sea creatures in Newport. Newport events

Oregon's Extreme Weather This Week Includes Lightning, 28-ft Surf, Hail, Poss...
Into Washington: a chance of severe thunderstorms; high surf on coast, large hail

Washington Coast Begins Week of Clam Digs, April 12 Through 18
Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks and Copalis at different times. Washington coast events

Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest 2025: N. Oregon Coast Tradition Happens June 21
Started in '64 after a tsunami hit town. Newport events Manzanita events, Cannon Beach events, Seaside events, Astoria events

Frost Advisory Tonight for Oregon, Areas Near Coast, Then Sunny Weekend in 70s
Temps near freezing tonight, then weekend soars into 60s on beach, 70s inland. Weather

Talk on N. Oregon Coast About Terrible Tilly Will Get Into the Dangers, Legacy
March 27 in Seaside digs into the lighthouse history

10 Odd Things That Were Blown Up on Oregon Coast (or just exploded)
2 whales, famous rocks, a bridge, shipwrecks, one ghost ship, even a satellite. History, sciences

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright © Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted