Introducing EYES™ Hearts Seals — Protecting La Jolla’s Seal Families
Each year from December through May, La Jolla becomes one of California’s most important harbor seal pupping sites. Mothers return to the beaches they’ve used for generations — especially Children’s Pool — to give birth, nurse, and raise their pups through the earliest, most vulnerable weeks of life.
Photo featuring precious harbor seals at Children’s pool, La Jolla, CA May 17, 2025, by Azi Sharif © Wildlife Jewels
Introducing EYES™ Hearts Seals — Protecting La Jolla’s Seal Families
A Wildlife Jewels® Community-Science Initiative for Harbor Seal Pupping Season
🦭💙 See with care. Learn with purpose. Protect with heart.
Each year from December through May, La Jolla becomes one of California’s most important harbor seal pupping sites. Mothers return to the beaches they’ve used for generations — especially Children’s Pool — to give birth, nurse, and raise their pups through the earliest, most vulnerable weeks of life.
To support and protect these precious seal families, Wildlife Jewels® proudly launches EYES Hearts Seals, a specialized community-science and volunteer initiative dedicated to safe observation, public awareness, and protection during pupping season and beyond.
💙 What Is EYES Hearts Seals?
EYES Hearts Seals is an extension of the larger EYES — Engage Your Eyes for Sea Life™ coastal wildlife monitoring program.
Our goal is simple and powerful:
⭐ Help La Jolla’s harbor seal pups stay safe
by empowering trained volunteers and community members to:
Observe seals and pups quietly and respectfully
Spot and report hazards or distressed animals
Support protective measures with accurate information
Educate visitors on seal-safe behavior
Reduce disturbance and prevent harmful interactions
This work is vital:
Harbor seal pups can be injured, abandoned, or stressed when humans get too close, make loud noises, or bring dogs onto beaches or bluffs where they’re not allowed.
🦭 Why We Created the Hearts Seals Emblem
Our EYES™Hearts Seals emblem blends three symbols that represent the heart of our mission:
👁 The Eye
Seeing wildlife with care, awareness, and respect — the essence of EYES™.
💙 The Heart
Protecting coastal wildlife with compassion and intention.
🦭 The Seal
Representing the vulnerable pups and families we’re here to help during their most critical season.
Together, these symbols reflect our purpose:
See with care. Learn with purpose. Protect with heart.
Why La Jolla’s Seal Pups Need Us
Harbor seals give birth on the shore — not offshore like sea lions.
That makes them especially vulnerable to:
Human noise and crowding
Dogs on the beach or bluffs
People trying to touch, approach, or pick up pups
Drone disturbance
Fishing gear and entanglement
Children running or playing close to resting seals
Visitors unaware they are in a pupping area
Even well-meaning visitors can accidentally cause:
stress-induced separation
failed nursing attempts
mom–pup abandonment
Gentle monitoring and education from trained volunteers can make an enormous difference.
💙 How EYES Hearts Seals Volunteers Help
Trained volunteers:
Observe seals from safe distances
Help remind beachgoers to keep dogs away
Report distressed or injured seals to rescue partners
Document hazards, human interactions, and environmental threats
Record field observations for Wildlife Jewels® data
Share respectful viewing guidance with visitors
Support a peaceful environment for moms and pups
No handling of wildlife.
No intervention without trained responders.
Just presence, knowledge, and heart-centered care.
Interested in Helping Protect Seals?
We welcome:
Community members
Students
Wildlife lovers
Photographers
Ocean stewards
La Jolla locals
Families
Visitors who want to make a difference
Whether you join for one shift or commit to the full season, your presence helps protect La Jolla’s seal families.
👉 Tap HERE to learn more and sign up!
Sapphirine the harbor Seal May 17, 2025 at La Jolla Cove, CA by captured by Azi Sharif/ © Wildlife Jewels
EYES La Jolla: A Precious Harbor Seal Pup Sapphirine and How We Can Help Protect Her World
Meet Sapphirine the Seal, a precious harbor seal pup we had the honor of observing at Children’s Pool La Jolla during our EYES monitoring in May!
Photo featuring a precious harbor seal at Children’s pool, La Jolla, CA May 17, 2025, by Azi Sharif from a safe distance via zoom © Wildlife Jewels
Meet Sapphirine the Seal, a precious harbor seal pup we had the honor of observing at an EYES La Jolla monitoring day at Children’s Pool La Jolla in May. 🦭💙
Harbor seal pupping season in La Jolla is one of the most magical times of year, and we are lucky to share the coastline with these magnificent seals.
We can all help protect La Jolla’s seals and pups by:
Staying quiet and giving seals plenty of space
Following posted signs and keeping dogs off the beach and bluffs where they’re not allowed
Reporting distressed seals and pups to local rescue teams immediately SeaWorld Rescue 1-800-541-SEAL (7325)
Report any signs of harassment immediately
As we near pupping season, here are some actions you can take to protect Seals:
• Visit the San Diego Seal Society to learn about their vital docent and protection work💙
• Join the EYES™ Hearts Seals La Jolla—a Wildlife Jewels EYES initiative to inspire and empower the community to protect La Jolla’s Seals during pupping season and beyond💙
Get Inspired: 🦭 Discover Jewels of La Jolla, a special Wildlife Jewels Arts & Education program shedding light on La Jolla’s magical wildlife.
Video featuring Sapphirine the harbor Seal May 17, 2025 at Children’s Pool La Jolla © Wildlife Jewels by Azi Sharif
Join our upcoming EYES La Jolla Wildlife Walk and learn more about ways you can help protect the precious Seals and their adorable pups at La Jolla!
