British Columbia · North Pacific
British Columbia · stories
Read recent published observations from British Columbia. Each entry keeps its original source attribution and a link back to the archive.
A visitor found a harbour seal pup alone at Seymour Bay near Cowan Point. The Vancouver Police Marine Unit transported VAMMR staff to retrieve her that evening. VAMMR named her Canadian Bacon.
Source: VPD and VAMMR via Canadian Press / CityNews Vancouver
21 July 2026 2026 · Howe SoundVAMMR rescued a newborn harbour seal at Pelican Bay Marina on Granville Island. The pup, named Puck, was alone and still attached to his placenta. This record dates the rescue encounter.
Source: VAMMR patient directory
11 June 2026 2026 · Metro VancouverWitnesses reported an injured harbour seal pup near the Skidegate ferry ramp after an apparent collision involving the Kwuna ferry. The pup was later transported for treatment.
Source: Stacey Brzostowski — Haida Gwaii News; VAMMR
18 May 2026 2026 · Haida GwaiiVAMMR rescued a young harbour seal entangled in a gillnet at West Vancouver. The society named her Annette.
Source: Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR)
21 January 2026 2026 · Metro VancouverVAMMR and Fisheries and Oceans Canada encountered a female Steller sea lion with rope tightly wrapped around her neck near Cowichan Bay. After a sighting reported by the Cowichan Tribes, responders sedated her and removed the rope. She swam away. The same animal had been reported since 7 November.
Source: Vancouver Aquarium / VAMMR original press release via CNW
9 December 2025 2025 · Vancouver IslandVAMMR rescued a harbour seal pup in poor condition at Port Hardy and named her Crinkle. This record dates the rescue encounter; the time she was first found remains unspecified.
Source: Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre
21 July 2025 2025 · Vancouver IslandVAMMR rescued an underweight harbour seal pup after it was found alone and in distress at Brentwood Bay. The patient was named Pierogi.
Source: VAMMR patient record PV2503 and rescue chronology
3 June 2025 2025 · Vancouver IslandVAMMR reported finding a male harbour seal pup alone on a beach near White Rock. The pup, named Zeus, was hypothermic and lethargic, with remnants of its umbilical cord and a lanugo coat.
Source: VAMMR patient record PV2502
27 May 2025 2025 · Metro VancouverChristine Chourmouzis observed a wounded California sea lion near the jetty and identified him as Friar Tuck, an animal disentangled by marine mammal responders in 2023.
Source: Christine Chourmouzis / Race Rocks Ecoguardians Log
19 August 2024 2024 · Race RocksVAMMR rescued an emaciated harbour seal pup from Gonzales Beach after receiving a report from a concerned observer. The patient was named Salty C.
Source: VAMMR patient record PV2405
4 July 2024 2024 · Vancouver IslandA contractor found a newborn harbour seal struggling in the water beside a dock at Mosquito Creek Marina, with its placenta still attached. VAMMR rescued the pup, later named Gustav.
Source: Todd Hauptman / Vancouver Aquarium; VAMMR patient record PV2402
28 May 2024 2024 · Metro VancouverVAMMR found a young harbour seal trapped between breakwater rocks near White Rock Pier. The team retrieved the underweight, dehydrated pup with help from White Rock Sea Tours. It was named Nelson.
Source: Todd Hauptman / Vancouver Aquarium, reporting VAMMR
27 May 2024 2024 · Metro Vancouver