PORT TOWNSEND — For the third time this year, a juvenile elephant seal has landed on a Port Townsend beach as part of his annual molting process.
And downtown is preparing for what could be a two-week visit.
He’s already received a violin serenade.
“We don’t know why we are getting so many seals this year,” said Chrissy McLean, the Port Townsend Marine Science Center’s marine program coordinator who is monitoring the seal’s progress.
“It could be that some of the juveniles are being forced away from Protection Island, and this is the nearest sandy beach they can use.
“But that’s just a theory.”
The seal, which is estimated to be 7 feet long, 3 years old and weighing 500 to 600 pounds, was dubbed Wanderer for his tendency to move from one beach to another.
On Sunday, crews coaxed the seal from the beach into the water three times, using large handheld plywood sheets that gave the seal no choice but to move toward the bay.
Wanderer first landed in the parking lot of the Northwest Maritime Center on Saturday night.
The first move took place early Sunday afternoon.
He made his way south and ended up under the deck beneath Sirens Pub but left that area when it filled with water at high tide.
He ended up on the beach outside Better Living Through Coffee.
Wanderer was coaxed off that beach at around 5 p.m. — and again a few hours later, when he returned.
By noon Monday, he was parked on the beach outside Nifty Fifties, where the last seal to visit, called Star for its tendency to show off to the crowd, spent much of his Port Townsend visit in May.
McLean said she hopes that Wanderer can stay put on this beach because it is not submerged during high tide and gives him a chance to stay dry.
At the second beach,Wanderer pushed himself against a large piece of driftwood and made loud breathing noises.
But McLean said he was not in pain or distress.
“They are voluntary breathers so they need to remember to breathe,” she said.
During that time, a crowd gathered, making a lot of noise.
One person serenaded the seal with a violin.
McLean made no effort to quiet the crowd as she did not want the seal to become accustomed to humans.
Eleven-year-old Ella Ashford, who was on the scene for Star’s Port Townsend visit in May and acted as a volunteer docent answering questions about elephant seals, has been observing Wanderer.
Ella was involved in the naming of the last two seals, though the first seal to beach on Port Townsend beaches this year was nicknamed Buddy by the residents of the Admiralty Apartments, which are adjacent to the area where Buddy landed in March.
McLean has contacted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to determine whether there have been any differences in the elephant seal population but has received no definitive answer.
She said people should stay at least 100 yards from the animal, but that distance may be impractical on a city beach.
Marine science center staff and volunteers are monitoring Wanderer’s movements and have set a boundary with yellow hazard tape.
McLean said people should stay behind the tape and not have any contact with the animal.
It is also important to keep dogs leashed and away from the seal as he could attack if he is approached, she said.
For information about seals or to report their movements, the Port Townsend Marine Science Center can be reached by phoning 360-385-5582.
Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
