Seal sightings on gorge area beaches raise suspicions that celebrity elephant seal Emerson may have returned to Victoria despite being relocated to a secluded beach on Vancouver Island last week. Speculation is widespread.
Emerson, a two-year-old elephant seal prone to molting in urban areas, was transferred from the canyon channel to a private beach on Vancouver Island on April 5 by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
CHEK News reported that staff from Victoria International Marina and the Gorge Waterway Activities Association witnessed a juvenile elephant seal with tags and markings similar to Emerson.
On Friday, a seal was seen entering the water near the Song Hee boardwalk by members of the Gorge Waterway Action Association.
Shay Balding, who was sitting on the beach where the seal photo was taken Saturday, said she had only seen sea otters in the valley so far.
“I will be watching closely,” she said of Emerson.
DFO spokeswoman Leli Davis said she could not confirm the animal’s identity Saturday, but said more information may be available Sunday.
“It would be an incredible feat to be back in six days,” Davis said. “We don’t think anything other than Emerson, but we can’t confirm that.” [yet]”
mjlo@timescolonist.com
