Stabbed Seal Ends Up Having Comic Adventures on Oregon / Washington Coast

Published 05/08/25 at 6:45 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Seaside, Oregon) – The injured juvenile elephant seal that caused an outpouring of outrage and sympathy had an essentially happy ending, it turns out. The seal had been stabbed by a beachgoer at Neskowin back in March, but after that wandered rather carefree along the north Oregon coast and south Washington coast for the next six weeks, creating a bit of a humorous spectacle.

The seal was likely just weaned and recently on its own when it landed at Neskowin, said Keith Chandler, manager of Seaside Aquarium. It lounged around there for about three weeks before someone stabbed it several times.

Wildlife experts checked it out, and to give it a better chance of healing they moved it to Cape Lookout, about 20 minutes north.

It was not taken care of by Seaside Aquarium – as these situations often are. It's below their coverage range as part of the Marine Mammal Stranding Network. But the 180-pound goofball ended up in their laps – and somewhat comically.

By April 1, the little guy had swam his way north to Seaside, Chandler told Oregon Coast Beach Connection.

South jetty, Fort Stevens (Oregon Coast Beach Connection)

“He was there for 10 days, so we moved him to the jetty at Warrenton,” Chandler said.

Seaside Aquarium's Tiffany Boothe said the stab wounds were luckily superficial and did not get far under the seal's blubber.

Once he arrived in Seaside the shenanigans began. Chandler said the baby seal did not fear humans at all and was extremely comfortable just bounding around Seaside. He didn't startle anyone, either, as these stranded creatures often do.

Another elephant seal incident in recent years (Seaside Aquarium photo)

“He was very active,” Chandler said. “He was not aggressive at all, not afraid of people. Just real friendly. At Seaside, he was hangin' out by the women's bathroom side of the Turaround, then he realized that was the wrong side and he moved and hung out by the men's side.”

Those mulling around Seaside and other areas were respectful of the signs telling them to keep away, Chandler said.

That went on for a few days. At that point, he sauntered his way up the beach a little and simply sat on or near the steps close to the Seaside Aquarium. This – ironically – scared people away from entering the aquarium.

“So we decided it was time to get him outta here,” Chandler said.

After bringing him to the jetty of Fort Stevens, the seal's stay there lasted a mere three days before he was goofing around civilization again, this time on the Washington coast.

“He was at the docks at Ilwaco,” Chandler said. “He was hangin' out in the parking lot, where the businesses are.”

So the Seaside Aquarium had to intervene again.

“We brought him up to Leadbetter Point, up at the very northern tip of the Long Beach Peninsula,” Chandler said.

That was the middle of April. It appears he's gone off to live his life.

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Chandler was surprised how cozy the elephant seal was around other humans. It was as if he'd been around humans before, but according to those who rescued him earlier that wasn't the case.

“I had to put him in the carrier twice and he was the easiest animal I've ever had to deal with,” Chandler said. “He wasn't tagged, and hadn't been with people before. He was just a kind soul.”

Federal and state authorities are still looking for the suspect in the stabbing.

Investigators are also seeking information regarding a vehicle linked to the case. The vehicle is described as a dark blue Dodge or Chrysler van from the 1990s, with a rear passenger window covered in plastic and an interior appearing cluttered. The van was spotted in a parking lot near the cove behind the Proposal Rock Condominiums. See drawing below:

Officials urge anyone with information to contact NOAA’s Enforcement Hotline at (800) 853-1964. Tips can be provided anonymously.

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