Album: Elephant Seal Photos, Winter 2023-2024

Point Reyes National Seashore

Monitoring elephant seals at Point Reyes as they come ashore to give birth to their pups and to mate always yields lots of cool photographs. These are from the 2023-2024 monitoring season.<br><br> <em>National Park Service scientists took the photos contained in this gallery while conducting scientific research. As per the Marine Mammal Protection Act, park scientists have a permit from the National Marine Fisheries Service to enter elephant seal protection areas that are otherwise closed to the public. Disrupting behavioral patterns of seals is prohibited and park scientists have been trained to reduce the possibility of disturbing the seals. Please adhere to all elephant seal protection closures, and stay at least 25 feet away from seals outside of the protection closures. Check out these <a href="https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/wildlife_viewing_elephantseals.htm#CP_JUMP_5649659">seal viewing tips</a> for more information.</em>