California

Former Wayward 900-Lb. Elephant Seal Gives Birth: National Park Service

A 900-pound elephant seal that captured the Bay Area's attention last week after she wandered across a highway in Sonoma County has given birth.

That's according to National Park Service docent Jim Rolka,  who posted the news on Instagram, after spotting a pup next to her on Saturday. The photo shows the mom, head back, mouth wide open, with a small black pup lying next to her in the sand. Another large, unknown mammal of unknown gender is lying next to the mom and offspring.

Both seem to be doing fine, according to John Dell'Osso, chief of interpretation and resource education at Point Reyes National Seashore.

The elephant seal, who had been unofficially nicknamed "Tolay," tied up traffic last week along Highway 37 near Sears Point for two days. 

Members of the Marine Mammal Center ended up sedating the hefty animal, loading her into a truck and carting her to Chimney Rock at Point Reyes National Seashore, considered an "established colony" for elephant seals.

Contact Us