Pupping season begins for harbor seals in Pacific Grove

PACIFIC GROVE – Pupping season has begun for harbor seals along the Monterey Peninsula, with multiple births recorded in recent days at the beach near Hopkins Marine Station.

Seal monitors Kim and Thom Akeman, who have tracked the colony for years, confirmed that at least six pups have been born as of Wednesday.

“Having six on by the first day of April is a little unusual, but there’s no usual anymore,” said Thom Akeman.

Some of the mothers and pups can be seen from along the recreation trail near Hopkins. The Akemans and other volunteers stop by daily to monitor the seals and remind the public to keep quiet near the space because harbor seals are skittish.

“That nursing period determines if the pup will survive,” Kim Akeman said, adding that about half of pups are typically lost each year. “This zone should be a quiet zone, because they need it for survival.”

The Akemans said the colony, which they refer to as the Peninsula Colony, is one of several in the region, with others located at Point Lobos and Elkhorn Slough.

  • Pacific Grove seal monitors named the mother “Scrunchy”, who is...

    Pacific Grove seal monitors named the mother “Scrunchy”, who is bonding with her pup. Monitors say pups are born knowing how to swim and are seen going in and out the water with the mothers daily. (Photo courtesy of Kim Akeman)

  • “Daisy” brings her pup ashore after the two lost sight...

    “Daisy” brings her pup ashore after the two lost sight of each other. Seal monitors say harbor seals are easily frightened and scare from the beach quickly. (Photo courtesy of Kim Akeman)

  • About six pups have been born as of the start...

    About six pups have been born as of the start of April. Monitors say it’s a bit early, but have seen more unpredictable years recently. (Photo courtesy of Kim Akeman)

  • “Ash” named by Pacific Grove seal monitors, is one of...

    “Ash” named by Pacific Grove seal monitors, is one of the pregnant seals due to give birth this season. Monitors say she typically does not give birth near Hopkins, but her preferred beach has been noisy. (Photo courtesy of Kim Akeman)

  • Last year about 70-80 pups were born to the Peninsula...

    Last year about 70-80 pups were born to the Peninsula colony. This year, monitors say they are expected about 50-60. (Photo courtesy of Kim Akeman)
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Pacific Grove seal monitors named the mother “Scrunchy”, who is bonding with her pup. Monitors say pups are born knowing how to swim and are seen going in and out the water with the mothers daily. (Photo courtesy of Kim Akeman)
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Last year, the Peninsula Colony recorded 73 successful births. Thom Akeman said another 50 to 60 births are expected over the next six weeks, with the season extending into May.

Monitors say conditions have changed in recent years, affecting pupping patterns.

“There’s not necessarily more people, but there’s more traffic, more cars revving, more air traffic,” Kim Akeman said. “And they’re predicting another El Niño this summer, a similar event happened in 2014 when the waters started to warm and we saw the seals react.”

Concerns extend beyond noise. The Akemans said avian flu has been detected in marine mammals in other parts of the Central Coast, including Año Nuevo, Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo. The illness has affected sea lions, sea otters and elephant seals.

“We definitely don’t want to see that here,” Kim Akeman said. “Harbor seals are great healers, but this can take them out in days. Even the slightest human interference can make them abandon their babies, so oftentimes we cannot help them.”

With more births expected in the coming weeks, monitors are urging the public to keep at a distance and limit noise near seal habitats.

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