Elephant Seals on our Shores

By John Palminteri of KEYT News

An elephant seal pup has been rescued from the waterfront in Santa Barbara by the Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute.  Experts say this time of year, the young seals have been weaned by their mothers and they are on their own. Most of the births take place in December and January.

Some look malnourished but are just going through a growing phase. The public has been asked to stay back a respectful distance and not to let their dogs get up to the marine mammals.

In most cases, the seals will eventually go back in the ocean if they are sleeping on the beach.  In some instances they may be sick or injured.  Seals that are picked up by marine experts and regain full health will be released near San Miguel Island.