The first dead seal pup of the year was reported at the Children’s Pool in La Jolla, Wednesday, Feb. 8. Seal activists found the seal near the seawall.
The cause of death was attributed to a premature birth, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
“We expect premature animals to be born in all species,” said Monica DeAngelis, Biologist with NOAA in Long Beach. “It’s not anything abnormal.”
Seal activists suspect that months of low-level harassment contributed to the death. According to seal activists, less seals are on the beach than normal and seals are avoiding the preferred bluff side since swimmers and divers are encouraged to use that area to approach the water.
It’s difficult to assume that harassment caused the premature birth, according to DeAngelis. “How do you tell the difference between the natural thing and something different in this case?”
Lifeguards could not comment on the presence of the seals on the beach since lifeguards change regularly and the number of seals beaching fluctuates.
“We’re really not involved,” said John Greenhalgh, director of training.
NOAA has placed two signs on the beach advising the public not to approach the seals. One of the signs was recently stolen.
Breeding season for the seals if from January to March.
Seal activists were also cited on Feb. 5 for soliciting donations without a permit. Lifeguards asked the activists to pack up their educational tables and leave, and then issued the citation.
“The lifeguard viewed the municipal code, felt there was a violation and issued the citation,” Greenhalgh said.
This is an obscure local ordinance that many cities have deemed unconstitutional, according to Bryan Pease, an attorney representing the activists and co-director of Animal Protection and Rescue League. The city attorney will dismiss the citation because it’s unconstitutional, Pease said.
The City Attorney was not available to comment on whether the ordinance is enforced in San Diego.