Thanks to the knowledge and teamwork of staff at the City of Colwood, a baby seal that was separated from her mother and has been struggling to survive is now being cared for in the safety of the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre in Vancouver.
The pup was discovered by Colwood staff at Esquimalt Lagoon near the old DND building and reported immediately to the Parks Foreman, Gord Beauvillier. Administrative staff connected Gord with the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre (MMRC) and he was in constant contact with staff there to help them assess the pup's overall health with pictures and information. Using this information, the MMRC determined that the seal pup should be brought into their facility for care, so Gord carefully transported her to the Harbour Air terminal for her flight to Vancouver. After a couple of flight cancellations due to fog, she was admitted to the MMRC on Wednesday evening.
Naming 'Lagoon'
The MMRC asked Gord if he would like to name her, and advised him that their 'patients' are being named using an astronomy theme right now. It just so happens that there is a nebula called Lagoon, and of course she was found at Esquimalt Lagoon, so 'Lagoon' was the perfect name.
You can follow 'Lagoon's' recovery on the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre facebook page and check her status on the Marine Mammal Rescue Center website.
What to do if you see a marine mammal
If you see a marine mammal that you believe is in distress:
1. Stay back
2. Keep people and pets away
3. Call the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre at 604-258-SEAL (7325) or Colwood public works 250-474-4133
Rescue situations, and their recommended courses of action, vary dramatically depending on the species concerned. Other critical factors are also involved, such as age, behaviour, location and apparent health. Please don't try to help an animal on your own.
Understanding the situation
It's normal for seals and sea lions (pinnipeds) to spend time on land, and so seeing one onshore doesn't necessarily mean a rescue is needed. 30-40 percent of their time may be spent ashore: resting; socializing; escaping predators; giving birth and nursing or warming themselves in the sun. Some species will mate on land as well.
It's best to contact an experienced marine mammal rescue organization before attempting to rescue a seal, sea lion or any other marine mammal. Trained rescuers will assess the situation and determine whether intervention is necessary.
If you see a pinniped on land, don't try to coax, pull or push it back into the water. Seals and sea lions are wild animals, and approaching too closely can cause them undue stress. If they feel threatened, they may bite (even small pups!). Keep them and yourself safe by staying back as far as possible (the Canadian Marine Mammal Regulations specify a distance of 100 metres).
It's also important to keep pets away. Dogs may inflict wounds on marine mammals, and there's a risk of disease transmission between the species.
What to look for
While observing from a distance, try to collect the following information:
- Does the animal have any visible wounds or swellings?
- Is the animal breathing? Is it breathing through its nose or its mouth? Does the breathing sound congested or laboured?
- Try to determine what species it may be by its size and fur colour.
- Does it have a plump, rounded appearance, or does it appear thin?
- Is the animal responsive? Is its behaviour active, aggressive, lethargic, vocal?
Call the Vancouver Aquarium's Marine Mammal Rescue Centre at 604-258-SEAL (7325) with the details, and we will instruct you on how best to proceed.
