Elephant seal tries to cross California highway

A determined elephant seal has repeatedly tried to cross Highway 37, a notoriously busy thoroughfare along San Pablo Bay in northern California. A driver called emergency services after seeing the seal trying to climb over the concrete barrier in the middle of the highway. The California Highway Patrol and Marine Mammal Center experts arrived to deter the over-500 pound seal, driving her back into the bay, but she kept trying to cross again. There is no water on the other side of the highway she is trying to cross. No information, yet, about the final outcome of today's seal-herding.
 









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Fortunately, the Sausalito Marine Mammal Center (rescue/rehab facility) is about 25 miles away. This might not be resolved unless she is relocated.



Elephant seal tries to cross.kmz (1.01 KB)

An interesting update on this story: this 900 lb. lady delivered a pup on Jan. 3rd, a few days after being taken to the Marine Mammal center.  It was discovered via ultrasound that she was pregnant. She was then moved to Point Reyes National Seashore to rejoin her colony, whereupon she finally had her pup at Drakes Beach.  source



A happy end to what was a puzzling event. It's quite a long swim from Pt. Reyes to Hwy 37 in Napa County. 

Elephant seal colony Drakes.kmz (715 B)