Once hunted nearly to extinction, elephant seals are now a conservation success story. But despite their remarkable recovery, these massive marine mammals still face an array of modern-day threats, ranging from climate change to genetic vulnerabilities.

 

The Legacy of Hunting and Genetic Scars

In the 19th century, northern elephant seals were hunted to near extinction for their blubber, which was used as fuel. By the 1890s, the population was presumed extinct until a small colony was found in Baja California. These few survivors became the foundation of today’s population, which now numbers about 200,000 along the Pacific coast, Earth.com reports.

This population bottleneck left lasting impacts on the genetic diversity of the species. A recent study led by Dr. Joseph Hoffman at Bielefeld University reveals that this dramatic reduction in population size resulted in a loss of beneficial genes, potentially compromising the seals’ ability to adapt to future environmental changes.

Dr. Kanchon Dasmahapatra, a co-author of the study, said that “the highly reduced genetic diversity… may impair the ability of northern elephant seals to cope with future environmental changes,” such as disease or climate-driven shifts in habitat, Earth.com reports.

 

Environmental Challenges and Expanding Colonies

Despite these genetic challenges, elephant seals have shown incredible resilience, expanding their range and establishing new breeding colonies along the California coast. From the Channel Islands to as far north as Humboldt County, populations continue to grow, making use of safe, secluded areas for breeding and molting.

Marine ecologist Sarah Allen describes the expansion as a natural response to crowded colonies. She told Phys.org that “females and juveniles start looking for some other place to get established” when populations exceed the capacity of established breeding grounds.

For example, researchers recently counted 265 pups in a newly established colony on Humboldt County’s Lost Coast. This rapid increase from a handful of seals only a few years prior is testament to the success of conservation efforts, which provide safe habitats for these seals to thrive, The New York Times reports.

Human Interaction and the Importance of Disturbance-Free Zones

Elephant seals depend on quiet beaches, free from human interference, to rest, mate, and nurse their young. NOAA’s West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network encourages people to stay at least 100 yards away from these animals. Approaching too closely can disturb critical behaviors, especially in pups, which are often seen resting on beaches. Misunderstanding this behavior, people sometimes mistake these resting seals for sick or abandoned animals. In most cases, however, pups are perfectly healthy and simply waiting for their mothers to return.

The Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits harassment of these animals. Feeding, touching, or even pouring water on seals can interfere with their natural processes and is considered harassment, NOAA reports. These protections help to preserve elephant seals’ habitats and minimize stress that could impact their long-term survival.

Rehabilitation Efforts: Helping the Young and Injured

While most elephant seals can survive in the wild, some need assistance. Rehabilitation centers like The Marine Mammal Center near San Francisco play a vital role in caring for sick and injured seals. The center, the world’s largest marine mammal hospital, helps pups that are orphaned, malnourished, or suffering from injuries due to natural causes or human interference.

Dr. Cara Field, the center’s lead veterinarian, told Natural History Museum that the goal is to get each animal healthy enough to return to the wild.

Field and her team work tirelessly, especially during pupping season, when the number of young seals needing care spikes. Volunteers and staff provide specialized diets and medical treatment, giving these young seals a better chance at survival. Once rehabilitated, they are released back to the ocean, where they can contribute to the growing population.

How You Can Help Protect Elephant Seals

Protecting these animals requires not only conservationists but also the public. Here are some simple steps you can take:

• Share the Shore: When visiting beaches, respect seal habitats by keeping a safe distance. This helps ensure that they can rest and nurse their young without disturbance.
• Report Distressed Animals: If you see an elephant seal that appears to be in distress, call local wildlife rescue services rather than approaching it.
• Reduce Plastic Use: Ocean pollution, especially plastics, poses a significant risk to marine life, including elephant seals. Reducing single-use plastics and participating in beach cleanups can have a big impact.
• Support Marine Protection Policies: Advocate for marine protection laws and conservation policies that help safeguard the habitats these animals depend on.

By respecting these creatures’ natural behaviors and supporting ongoing conservation efforts, we can all contribute to the survival and prosperity of elephant seals. Their journey from the brink of extinction to thriving populations along the California coast is proof that conservation works — but only if we continue to protect these remarkable animals.

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