Moulting elephant seals arenB次元官网网址檛 uncommon on Greater Victoria shores. But one in particular has a penchant for playing in traffic, itB次元官网网址檚 just one reason the juvenile male seal, dubbed Emerson by its fans, was relocated recently.
No joking, Emerson made his return on April 1, landing on shores of the Saanich section of the Gorge Waterway. HeB次元官网网址檇 last been seen in September 2023 near the Songhees Walkway in Vic West.
READ ALSO:
Emerson was in the news a lot in recent years B次元官网网址� that fame can draw a crowd. Susan Coulas of East Sooke came out for a peek B次元官网网址� from a respectable distance B次元官网网址� at the wayward mammal and witnessed its eviction Friday (April 5).
B次元官网网址淲hen we got there he was quite comfortable and snoozing in the tulip flowerbed,B次元官网网址� Coulas said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e seen elephant seals in the wild and that, but IB次元官网网址檝e never seen one in a tulip bed.B次元官网网址�
She overheard some onlookers who suggested the young seal had evaded capture earlier in the day.
Then crews started getting active again, clearing an area, creating a perimeter around the seal and backing in a big trailer.
B次元官网网址淭hey had a discussion and got a game plan in place,B次元官网网址� said Coulas, who figures Emerson might have had an idea something was up. He picked up his head couple times and eyed those closest to him.
B次元官网网址淭hey got him corralled unceremoniously B次元官网网址� there was a lot of snorting, there was a lot of barking.B次元官网网址�
He tried to turn around but a touch of the catch pole to the snout would get him back in line.
B次元官网网址淚t didnB次元官网网址檛 take that long. I think altogether it might have been about 15 minutes. TheyB次元官网网址檇 done it before they knew what they were doing.B次元官网网址�
At two years old and about 500 pounds Emerson is acclimated to both people and infrastructure. HeB次元官网网址檚 been removed from roadways more than once, for everyoneB次元官网网址檚 safety. Emerson has been relocated previously, and thatB次元官网网址檚 what Coulas was told happened again Friday.
B次元官网网址淚 love Emerson, but Emerson does not need to be in the flower bed at the Gorge,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淓mersonB次元官网网址檚 going to be a lot safer B次元官网网址� if he chooses to stay there.B次元官网网址�
READ ALSO:
Emerson emerged from the Salish Sea to moult, a natural process for the seals. They can spend around a month on land or close to land during the process, which sees them shed their fur and the underlying layer of skin.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) notes that while they may look slow and harmless, the seals are still capable of moving very quickly and could be dangerous if they feel threatened.
Anyone who sees an animal being harassed or injured, or an injured or sick animal exhibiting highly unusual behaviour is asked to call the DFOB次元官网网址檚 24-hour Observe, Record and Report hotline at 1-800-465-4336.
RELATED:
