Watch this incredible video NOW on the Friends of the Elephant Seal YouTube page.
This 7-minute video captures the dramatic birth of a northern elephant seal pup at Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal rookery on December 31, 2020. A large elephant seal pup was born flippers- first, which happens in about 40% of witnessed births. Multiple seagulls arrive almost immediately to take the placenta. The pup is not visible for awhile as the tear it away. All ends well for this mom and pup. Video by Cynthia Coulter for the Friends of the Elephant Seal.
Read more about the birthing and breeding season.