From: "Seal Conservancy of San Diego" <
jane@sealconservancy.org>
Date: Jan 12, 2015 6:21 AM
Subject: Harassment of Pregnant Seals Continues Despite Winter Beach Closure
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Despite the fact that the sand at Casa Beach is supposed to be closed to people by the City of San Diego until May 15, in order to protect the harbor seal colony moms and their pups, some people walk onto the sand anyway, like this spear fisherman seen yesterday morning:
We want to encourage all of you to help the La Jolla seals by visiting Casa Beach to see the rookery this winter. The more visitors that come to see the seals undisturbed in their own habitat, the more the City will be motivated to enforce their own sign and chain and beach closure during pupping season. While no one knows exactly when they will be born, we do know that 40 to 50 new harbor seal pups are going to make their way into our world sometime between now and the end of March. We urge you to come and see these marvelous marine mammals in their natural habitat, (mostly) free from human interference and harassment for the first time since 2004.
If you're lucky, you might even see a live seal birth during your visit. Based on past years, you have the best chance of seeing an actual seal birth happen if you come to Casa Beach between February 15 and March 15. For example, in 2014, 90% of the pups were born between February 11 and March 15. In 2013, 90% of the pups were born between February 16 and March 20. In 2010, 90% of the pups were born between February 10 and March 21. (Reference: Pacific Harbor Seal Census at Casa Beach, September 1, 2012 to August 31, 2013 and Pacific Harbor Seal Census at Casa Beach, September 1, 2013 to May 31, 2014, as compiled by the docents and the seal cam operators of the Seal Conservancy of San Diego as part of our ongoing research.)
The Seal Conservancy of San Diego depends on the generosity of supporters like you in order to meet our goals and live up to our mission statement. Please visit our website ( www.sealconservancy.org) or click the button below to donate.
Thank you for your continued support for the harbor seals of Casa Beach.
If you prefer to send a check, please make the check payable to SEAL CONSERVANCY OF SAN DIEGO and mail it to this address:
Seal Conservancy of San Diego
P.O. Box 2016
La Jolla, CA 92038
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Seal Conservancy of San Diego Mission Statement
1. To preserve the La Jolla Harbor Seal Colony for ecological, educational, scientific, historic and scenic opportunities.
2. To create and administer a docent program which will provide environmental education for the public and promote safe viewing of harbor seals along the coast of Southern California.
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