"Zella" the Seal Pup

Yesterday I responded to my first Marine Mammal Stranding Network call! Luckily for me, I didn't have to travel far to see this marine mammal because she was hauled out on the beach right next to the PTMSC pier.

Zella, the harbor seal pup, resting on the beach

Maybe she'll come tour the exhibit next weekend!

Around 1 o'clock on Saturday, a harbor seal pup climbed up on the sandy, protected shore right in front of the Marine Exhibit. She looked healthy, chubby, and relaxed. I think this is the same pup we've seen playing and hunting by the pier for the past month or so. On Friday, one of our smallest visitors decided to name her Zella. All the visitors to the Marine Exhibit on Saturday got to see her resting on the beach from the safe distance of the pier. We reminded everyone to admire her from afar and not to approach her.

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REBECCA MOSTOW is the Marine Exhibit Educator and an AmeriCorps member at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center.