Lynn Shimamoto 6/1/26 Lynn Shimamoto 6/1/26

Two weaners & a knowledgeable teen

Harbor seal pups are typically weaned from their mothers at 4-6 weeks. Thereafter, they are affectionately called “weanlings” or “weaners.”

Lynn Shimamoto 5/18/26 Lynn Shimamoto 5/18/26

Sea Lion Intervention

A California sea lion was expected to die unless freed from the fishing gear tightly wound around his neck. Seal Sitters volunteers were asked to assist in the dramatic disentanglement operation.

Lynn Shimamoto 10/27/25 Lynn Shimamoto 10/27/25

Ailing sea lion on the beach

Earlier this month, Seal Sitters hotline received a startling report: a California sea lion had just hauled out at Lincoln Park.

Lynn Shimamoto 6/18/25 Lynn Shimamoto 6/18/25

Mysterious and shy: the Harbor Porpoise

When Seal Sitters first responders John and Victoria responded to a report of a deceased harbor porpoise on a West Seattle beach, it was an opportunity to learn more about this elusive animal.

Lynn Shimamoto 5/30/25 Lynn Shimamoto 5/30/25

Where are the seals?

That’s the question Seal Sitters have been asking lately.

2007, when Seal Sitters was founded as NOAA’s stranding network for West Seattle, was a banner year for harbor seal pups showing up on local beaches.