A juvenile male northern elephant seal has been observed at Tramp Harbor periodically since early October, sometimes deadheading (hanging vertically) in the water and sometimes hauled out (resting) on the beach.

Nicknamed “Elwood,” the intriguing visitor is garnering attention on several Vashon-Maury social media sites. Unlike harbor seals, elephant seals are not common in central Puget Sound. Since becoming marine mammal stranding responders in 2007, Orca Annie (Ann) Stateler and Odin Lonning have received about a dozen calls from islanders about elephant seals around Vashon.

Elephant seals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. For safety and to avoid disturbing Elwood, curious onlookers and photographers must maintain a minimum distance of 50 yards (150 feet) from him — no selfies with Elwood! Dogs are disruptive to seals and sea lions resting on the shore, so no dogs should be near Elwood, either.

Thus far, Elwood’s behavior is normal and he does not appear to be in distress.

If problems arise, islanders can contact the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region Stranding Hotline at 1-866-767-6114, which notifies other stranding network partners, and NOAA Enforcement at 1-800-853-1964 to report harassment.

To learn more about elephant seals, visit these NOAA and Marine Mammal Center webpages: tinyurl.com/428pdhuv and tinyurl.com/mwtbw8e9.

— By Orca Annie Stateler, for The Beachcomber