Wildlife Jewels Urges Space for an Injured Harbor Seal Pup at Children’s Pool
Injured harbor seal pup at Children’s Pool in La Jolla. Photographed from a distance using a zoom lens. © Wildlife Jewels / Azi Sharif, July 10, 2026.
Help Needed: Injured Seal Pup at Children’s Pool
During our EYES field surveys at Children’s Pool, we have continued observing the same injured harbor seal pup since June 28. She has a deep wound near her left shoulder/front flipper and appears to have difficulty moving.
Sadly, during our observations, she has had almost no opportunity to haul out and rest on the sand—and potentially be reached by authorized rescue responders—because the beach and shoreline are consistently crowded.
Today, people repeatedly approached and crowded her. When one person suddenly walked directly toward her, she was forced back into the water. We did not see her return until late evening, when high tide had covered the rocks. She repeatedly attempted to haul out onto the sand but was unable to because people remained too close.
If you see her resting on the sand:
Immediately call SeaWorld Rescue: 1-800-541-7325
Keep her in sight from a safe distance, and do not approach or encourage others to approach.
Please also report any disturbance or harassment to NOAA Fisheries Enforcement at 1-800-853-1964, including chasing, touching, surrounding, throwing objects toward her, or approaching so closely that she is forced to move, enter the water, or is unable to rest or haul out.
Giving her the space she needs may be her best chance to rest and receive help.
Why Space Matters
For an injured seal pup, space is life-saving. She needs a safe opportunity to come ashore and rest on the sand so authorized rescue teams have the best chance to reach and safely assist her.
How You Can Help
If you see this seal pup, please keep your distance, do not approach, and call SeaWorld Rescue right away while keeping the pup in sight from a safe distance: 1-800-541-7325.
Please give seals and sea lions plenty of space, stay behind posted barriers, and report injured or distressed marine mammals immediately.
Quick reporting and giving wildlife space can help save lives.
Video caption/credit:
Injured harbor seal pup at Children’s Pool in La Jolla. Photographed from a distance using a zoom lens. © Wildlife Jewels / Azi Sharif, July 10, 2026.
Video caption/credit:
Injured harbor seal pup at Children’s Pool in La Jolla. Photographed from a distance using a zoom lens. © Wildlife Jewels / Azi Sharif, June 28, 2026.
For reporting guidelines in San Diego or Orange County, visit: wildlifejewels.org/report-wildlife
For general emergency and harassment reporting see our Rescue Resources for San Diego County HERE.
Join the Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew to support next steps when needed, including tracking cases and helping connect wildlife to authorized care.
Join us and together let’s work to ensure safety of our precious wildlife!