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