Seals arriving daily!
Bulls vie for females’ attention
A pup was born December 16 in the “maternity ward” area
along the south end of the Piedras Blancas boardwalk. More will follow as the
birth and breeding season unfolds through February.
A few bulls were on the beach for the event, but a huge
senior bull arrived later in the day. Bulls challenge each other, but the
dominance hierarchy actually reduces fighting. About 80 percent of dominance
interactions end peacefully.
Fighting uses precious energy. Bulls may be on the beach as
long as 100 days, without food. The breeding season is one of several long
fasts during the seals’ year. Those big boys need all the blubber they have
packed on since last season to stay the course.
If bulls had to leave the beach to feed, their harem of
females would immediately be overtaken by another bull. It’s advantageous for
them to remain vigilant on the beach.
Over 5,000 pups are born at Piedras Blancas each year, in
the rookery stretching from the lighthouse in the north to Arroyo Laguna in the
south.
Bachelor Beach
Trained volunteers will be on the beach at San Simeon Cove
on the weekends during the breeding season, from December through March. Bull
seals that have lost the battle to dominate a harem on a breeding beach have
been coming to the cove beaches to recover. Guides will help visitors enjoy the
beach without disturbing the seals or placing themselves at risk.
 |
| This bull rests while partiers prepare the barbeque for the party. |
Spotting scopes will be available on the pier. Get that
close-up photo without interrupting a sleeping seal.
The less dominant bulls that haul out at the cove have lost
battles and need to heal their wounds and recover their strength. They can
dream of returning to lead a harem another day.
Seals don’t eat during the breeding season, so they need to
conserve their strength.
Every seal on the beach is a survivor. Whether he’ll ever
get to breed, he has survived in the ocean for years, avoiding sharks and
making his way on two 5,000-mile migrations every year. He’s found enough food
to bulk up to two tons or more. That’s a survivor worth honoring.
California State Parks Guided Tours
Hearst San Simeon State Park will offer guided tours to see the elephant
seals during the breeding season. Tours start January 3 and run
through the end of March. Meet up at Arroyo Laguna, the ocean side of Highway
1, 2.25 miles north of the Hearst Castle Entrance, 35°39'11.04"N,
121°13'18.83"W on your GPS at 9am, 10:30am, and 12:30pm on Fridays,
Saturdays, and Sundays.
Tickets
at the site, first come, first served, and at the Hearst Castle Visitor
Services Office, day of tour only. No advance sales. $13 per person, children under 5 free. Free
onsite parking.
The
tour includes a 45-minute, easy ½-mile guided trail walk, on varied
terrain.
The
guides will tailor the tour for your interests. Children welcome. Maximum tour
group is 20 people.
Dress
for the weather – seals ignore wind and rain – and bring binoculars.
For
more information, call (805) 927- 2010 or visit the website https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30298.
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