Baby seal stabbed on Oregon coast; search for suspect underway
An image provided by Seaside Aquarium shows a baby seal who the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said was stabbed on an Oregon beach in March 2025. (Photo courtesy of Tiffany Boothe/Seaside Aquarium)
A search is ongoing for an individual who stabbed a baby seal in March on an Oregon beach.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) officials told the Associated Press that the seal survived the attack and the agency’s stranding team evaluated the animal and helped it relocate.
"Person of interest" wanted
Dig deeper:
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s law enforcement office is investigating the case, and they are searching for a "person of interest," who was observed by a witness.
NOAA officials also told the Associated Press they are searching for the owner of a car spotted in a parking lot near a cove behind a condominium building in the town of Neskowin, Oregon. Officials believe the vehicle might be linked to the attack.
An image provided by Seaside Aquarium shows a baby seal who the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said was stabbed on an Oregon beach in March 2025. (Photo courtesy of Tiffany Boothe/Seaside Aquarium)
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According to the AP, the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits harassing, harming, killing, or feeding wild elephant seals and other marine mammals. Violators can face criminal penalties of up to $100,000 in fines and up to 1 year in prison.
How did the seal end up on an Oregon beach?
Local perspective:
In the spring and summer, juvenile elephant seals show up on Oregon's beaches and the animals spend weeks shedding their hair and skin, but adult elephant seals are rarely seen in the state, the Oregon State University's Marine Mammal Institute told the Associated Press.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by the Associated Press, which cites comments from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Oregon State University's Marine Mammal Institute. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.