It started with a tiny seal pup on a Prince Rupert breakwater, crying out for its mother.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans said it received multiple calls on May 30 and 31 about the abandoned pup at a local boat launch that was “suckling on anything it could.”
DFO fishery officer Darla Farrington said the seal was so young it still had its umbilical cord attached, and its distress calls caught the attention of members of the public, who contacted the department.
“It was just hauling out on the breakwater here, making fairly adorable calls, which can be really hard for the general public,” Farrington said, describing the sound as “Wah! Wah!”
After monitoring the situation, Farrington said it was determined no mother was around, and a rescue plan was launched.
The pup was collected using a fishing net, then put in a pet carrier and transported by small aircraft to Haida Gwaii.
From there, it took a charter flight more than 700 kilometres to Vancouver and was released into the care of the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society.
“They co-ordinated all the travel, we were just the boots on the water,” Farrington said.
In a statement, the Vancouver Aquarium said the seal, dubbed “Jimmy Two-Shoes,” is doing well.
“He has shed the remainder of his lanugo coat and is growing more every day,” the email said.
“He loves to swim and is overall doing well,” the email said.
Officials said the pup will eventually be transferred back to Prince Rupert for release into the wild.
Farrington said it is unusual for seals to be abandoned so young, and it’s likely the mother was caught or killed by another animal.
DFO said people often find baby seal pups and assume they have been abandoned when, in reality, the mother is out getting food and will return shortly.
“Should you encounter a lone seal pup, please keep your distance, keep your pets leashed, and do not attempt to remove the seal as it may not need rescuing, and your actions can endanger its life,” the department says.
“Instead of intervening, the public is asked to report their concerns to the Department via the Observe, Record, Reporting line (ORR) toll-free at 1-800-465-4336, or email the details to DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.”
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