Moulting elephant seals aren害羞草研究所檛 uncommon on Greater Victoria shores. But one in particular has a penchant for playing in traffic, it害羞草研究所檚 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. He害羞草研究所檇 last been seen in September 2023 near the Songhees Walkway in Vic West.
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Emerson was in the news a lot in recent years 害羞草研究所� that fame can draw a crowd. Susan Coulas of East Sooke came out for a peek 害羞草研究所� from a respectable distance 害羞草研究所� at the wayward mammal and witnessed its eviction Friday (April 5).
害羞草研究所淲hen we got there he was quite comfortable and snoozing in the tulip flowerbed,害羞草研究所� Coulas said. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檝e seen elephant seals in the wild and that, but I害羞草研究所檝e never seen one in a tulip bed.害羞草研究所�
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.
害羞草研究所淭hey had a discussion and got a game plan in place,害羞草研究所� 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.
害羞草研究所淭hey got him corralled unceremoniously 害羞草研究所� there was a lot of snorting, there was a lot of barking.害羞草研究所�
He tried to turn around but a touch of the catch pole to the snout would get him back in line.
害羞草研究所淚t didn害羞草研究所檛 take that long. I think altogether it might have been about 15 minutes. They害羞草研究所檇 done it before they knew what they were doing.害羞草研究所�
At two years old and about 500 pounds Emerson is acclimated to both people and infrastructure. He害羞草研究所檚 been removed from roadways more than once, for everyone害羞草研究所檚 safety. Emerson has been relocated previously, and that害羞草研究所檚 what Coulas was told happened again Friday.
害羞草研究所淚 love Emerson, but Emerson does not need to be in the flower bed at the Gorge,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淓merson害羞草研究所檚 going to be a lot safer 害羞草研究所� if he chooses to stay there.害羞草研究所�
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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 DFO害羞草研究所檚 24-hour Observe, Record and Report hotline at 1-800-465-4336.
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