Babies on the beach: It’s elephant seal breeding season on California’s Central Coast

A pup was born Dec. 16 in the “maternity ward” area along the south end of the Piedras Blancas boardwalk near San Simeon. More will follow as the birth and breeding season unfolds through February.

A few bulls were on the beach for the event, but a huge senior bull arrived later in the day. Bulls challenge each other, but the dominance hierarchy actually reduces fighting.

About 80% of dominance interactions end peacefully.

Fighting uses precious energy. Bulls may be on the beach as long as 100 days, without food. The breeding season is one of several long fasts during the seals’ year. Those big boys need all the blubber they have packed on since last season to stay the course.

If bulls had to leave the beach to feed, their harem of females would immediately be overtaken by another bull. It’s advantageous for them to remain vigilant on the beach.

More than 5,000 pups are born at Piedras Blancas each year, in the rookery stretching from the lighthouse in the north to Arroyo Laguna in the south.

Bachelor beach for bull elephant seals

Trained volunteers will be on the beach at San Simeon Cove on the weekends during the breeding season, from December through March.

Bull seals that have lost the battle to dominate a harem on a breeding beach have been coming to the cove beaches to recover.

Guides will help visitors enjoy the beach without disturbing the seals or placing themselves at risk.

Spotting scopes will be available on the pier. Get that close-up photo without interrupting a sleeping seal.

The less dominant bulls that haul out at the cove have lost battles and need to heal their wounds and recover their strength. They can dream of returning to lead a harem another day.

Seals don’t eat during the breeding season, so they need to conserve their strength.

Every seal on the beach is a survivor. Whether he’ll ever get to breed, he has survived in the ocean for years, avoiding sharks and making his way on two 5,000-mile migrations every year.

He’s found enough food to bulk up to two tons or more. That’s a survivor worth honoring.

California State Parks guided tours

Hearst San Simeon State Park will offer guided tours to see the elephant seals during the breeding season, starting the first week of January.

Meet up at William R. Hearst Memorial Beach in San Simeon for one-hour tours starting at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Groups start at the San Simeon pier and caravan up to the walking tour site. The guides will tailor the tour for your interests. The maximum size of a tour group is 20 people.

Dress for the weather – seals ignore wind and rain – and bring binoculars.

Tickets are $13 apiece and are available first come, first served, and in advance at several state park locations. Children under 5 are free.

For more information, call 805-927-2010 or visit www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30298.