A baby seal, no more than a couple days old, found on the rocks near French Creek Sunday night has taken for care and rehabilitation.
The seal was found by Debbie Edwards and her grandson Rylan Burch while they were out for a campfire on the rocks Sunday evening.
Neighbour Len Mustard said when it was still there in the morning they started making calls for help and eventually reached the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre of the Vancouver Aquarium.
Someone was dispatched from Nanaimo and arrived to collect the baby before noon, relieving Mustard from guard duty, chasing away vultures and other possible prey.
The baby will be taken to the Island Wildlife Nature Centre on Salt Spring Island for rehabilitation and eventual release.
From the description, including a bit of umbilical cord, the experts estimated it to be a day or two old, and said the fact that it wasn't making any sounds indicated it's mother was probably not nearby.
When you find a baby seal alone it should be left alone since it is not unusual for a mother to leave them alone while they feed, but they would usually be communicating regularly.
Mustard said while they do hear seals almost daily, there hadn't been any sound of them that morning.
People should keep a distance of at least 100 metres and keep an eye on it to see if the mother returns. Take note of the animal's condition, keep pets away and call the rescue centre for help assessing it and they will decide if it needs help.
Call The Marine Mammal Rescue Centre at 604-258-SEAL (7325) or 604-862-1647 after hours.