It's only halfway through August, but the Vancouver Aquarium's Marine Mammal Rescue Centre has already admitted its 100th seal pup - and it's from North Shore waters.
On Aug. 6, Steve Davis, boat master for Port Metro Vancouver, with his colleague Mark James spotted the newborn on a derelict float about to be deposited into a debris bag, near Mosquito Creek Marina, according to an aquarium media release.
Almost every summer, the rescue centre will see between 100 and 150 seals. The all-time record was 174 in 2005.
It's very common for newborn seal pups to be left alone while mothers gather food, said Lindsaye Akhurst, manager of the rescue centre, and the two men called ahead to assess if the pup on the float was in need.
Davis and James often encounter lone seal pups in their line of work, and this pup looked particularly emaciated.
With the help of Talia Smith, a biology graduate with the centre, the seal was safely removed from the waters and transported back for medical treatment.
And like the rest admitted to the centre, this pup was given a name: Praseodymium, or Pr for short, which is following the rescue centre's summer theme of naming rescues after elements on the periodic table. Pr is a soft, silvery metal.
In his new surrounding, Pr is being handfed nutrient-rich formula five times a day in an effort to bring him back to a healthy weight. If all goes well, Pr will be released this fall.
He joins Oxygen, another seal pup rescued near Mosquito Creek Marina, at the centre. Oxygen was found on July 15 and her expected rehabilitation period is two months, which is standard for most rescues.
The centre is also reminding anyone who comes across a stranded marine mammal to not approach it and keep any pets away from it, and to call the centre at 604-258-7325 for assistance.
