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Necropsy will be done to determine cause of seal’s death

Juvenile Elephant Seal was discovered last week off of Tsawwassen Beach
elephant seal
A juvenile Elephant Seal that washed up on Tsawwassen Beach last week, has been taken by DFO for a necropsy to determine how it died.

A juvenile Elephant Seal, who was washed ashore last week, and died over the weekend, is now in the hands of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans for further examination.

The discovery off of Tsawwassen Beach caused a bit of a stir on social media and concern from nearby residents.

DFO said the seal was beginning its spring moulting process and asked that residents stay away to give the animal its space.

The DFO confirmed with the Optimist via email on Thursday afternoon that their marine mammal team removed the seal from the beach and have taken it to Dr. Stephen Raverty, lead Veterinarian with the BC Ministry of Agriculture for a necropsy to determine the cause of death.

The DFO believe the seal was lost when it stranded itself on the beach area.