HUMPBACK WHALE STRANDS AND DIES AT WEST SEATTLE BEACH 8-7-16

A 39 foot female Humpback Whale stranded on a West Seattle beach just south of the Fauntleroy Ferry dock on Sunday 8/7/16.  The whale was estimated to be between 1.5 and 3 years old but likely closer to 3.  A necropsy was done but results are not in yet.  The whale was emaciated and had three killer whale bite marks on the lower right jaw which were unlikely to have contributed to the whales death. There was a large population of whale lice on the whale which may have indicated ill health, however whale lice (actually amphipods of the family Cyamidae) are common on many species of whales and are not considered abnormal.  Humpback Whales have one species but some other whales have more than one.  The whale lice feed on the tissue of the whale externally and are often found in large numbers in cuts.  Puget Sound is seeing an increase in Humpback Whale sightings as the population increases.  Over the last 30 years the Humpback population in the North Pacific has increased 4 fold and is now considered healthy.

The whale arrived on the beach about 7:30 am and was alive at the time but died around 11 am.

After performing the necropsy the whale was towed to a secure location and will be sunk in deep water likely 8/8/16.  Washington State Ferries provided the towing boat.

Seal Sitters (part of NOAA stranding network) set up barriers to keep onlookers at a safe distance and provided staff to answer question from the public that visited the beach and lined the walkway on the ferry dock.  NOAA, WDFW, and Cascadia Reasearch Coop staff conducted the necropsy with the assistance of Dr.Tag Gornall a private marine mammal veterinarian.  Seattle Police Dept. helped with barriers and crowd control.

While the stranding and death of any whale in Puget Sound is of concern it should be noted that the current population of Humpback Whales in the North Pacific is healthy....and hopefully will continue to prosper.

Orange on back are whale lice

Keeping the whale cool

Left side eye

Barnacles

Eye and whale lice

Whale lice (C. bootis)

Researcher

Whale and ferry dock

Barnacles on front edge of flipper

Baleen

10 foot long flipper

Cuts on lower jaw

Cuts on lower jaw and whale lice

Measurments

Whale barnacles (can only live on whale)

Whale lice in wound

Tail flukes

Live whale lice

Blubber (sample taken here)

Preparing to move to overnight location

Washington State Ferries boat

Setting floats on whale

Washington State Ferries tow boat

WSF tow boat

Towing the whale to overnight location

Afternoon sky

Whale lice from Humpback Whale  (Cyamus boopis)

PADDLE TO NISQUALLY CANOE JOURNEY VISITS ALKI - WEST SEATTLE 7-27-16

On July 27th 83 Tribal canoes from west coast native tribes landed at Alki Beach in West Seattle.  This year the annual Canoe Journey will have the Pow Wow hosted by the Nisqually tribe in South Puget Sound.  This is the first visit to Alki since 2012 and the most canoes I have ever seen at Alki.  The canoes departed Alki on 7-28 headed south to Tacoma and then Nisqually.  On departure from Alki a pod of Common Dolphins showed up......dolphins that are very rare in Puget Sound but have been sighted here since the start of July.  The dolphins have likely come north from California following anchovy that have moved north looking for cooler water during El Nino.  Dolphin images courtesy of David Hutchinson.

Common Dolphins - image David Hutchinson

Common Dolphins image David Hutchinson

HARBOR SEAL PUPPING SEASON IN FULL SWING

July marks the beginning of Harbor Seal pupping season.  Pups are weaned in 4 to 6 weeks and are then on their own to find food and survive without help from mom.  This a hard time for pups as they will not become efficient hunters for about a month after weaning.  Pups will lose weight and about 50% will not survive.  During this period it is especially important that pups have a safe place to rest...away from disturbances that would force them back into the water.  On Alki beach pups are especially vulnerable to human and K9 disturbance.  Seal Sitters (a part of the Marine Mammal Stranding Network) staff monitors pups, sets up barriers to keep people at a respectful distance and provides education to those who see the pups on the beach.  It is illegal to disturb a resting seal...pup or adult as these animals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.  Causing a seal to change its normal behavior can result in a hefty fine....and possible jail time.  

On July 22nd a pup came ashore at Alki Beach Park and used the beach as a resting location for the next 4 days.  Seal Sitters monitored the seal's health and set up barriers as well as providing information for the passing public.

The pup was determined, by WDFW biologist, to be about 2 to 4 weeks old (estimated).  It was determined that its location on the busy Alki beach was not in the pups best interest from a health standpoint.  The pup appeared to be underweight and likely not feeding properly during its time in the water.

Seal Sitters staff and volunteers, under the direction of WDFW biologist, captured the pup for relocation by WDFW to a location remote from human interaction and in proximity to a large group of other seals.  Hopefully this will give the pup a better chance of surviving the difficulties of the first few months of life.

Only personnel authorized by NOAA to perform interventions of this type can in any way attempt for rescue a marine mammal, move it, feed it or in any way alter its behavior.   Please keep well back of any marine mammal on the beach.  Dogs are not allowed on any Seattle Parks beaches at any time leashed or unleashed.  Maximum fine is $500 for any infraction.

If you see any marine mammal on the beach in West Seattle please contact Seal Sitters at 206-905 SEAL.  

Pup returning to water to attempt to feed

WDFW and Seal Sitters staff in relocation process

Harbor Seal pup

Seal Sitters barrier and information board

Gulls often peck at beached Harbor Seal pups