Plastic entanglement

By Joan Crowder — Special to The Tribune

In this photo by Joan Crowder, Lisa Harper Henderson works to cut the plastic. It's very tight on the seal's neck. Ultimately, it would kill her.

 

Rescuers from The Marine Mammal Center in Morro Bay removed a packing strap from the neck of a female elephant seal at the Piedras Blancas viewing area on Friday afternoon.

Site Manager Lisa Harper-Henderson used a curved knife on a long pole to clip the strap, assisted by volunteer Mark Garman of Cambria and Kate Muster, a Cal Poly student who is a Marine Mammal Center intern, sponsored by Friends of the Elephant Seal.

The seal was documented as ES-3485 and was named San Simeon.This photo by rescuer mark Garman shows many other seals on the beach. Special permission is required for he Marine Mammal Center's trained volunteers and staff to go on to the beach and help a distressed animal.

Read more here: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2013/06/03/2532211/elephant-seal-rescue-piedras-blancas.html#storylink=cpy