Abandoned newborn seal pup rescued on shoreline of Metro Vancouver island

VANCOUVER — Police and a team of veterinary technicians in Vancouver have successfully rescued an abandoned newborn seal pup found on the shoreline of Bowen Island.

Vancouver police say in a release that the distressed female harbour seal was discovered Tuesday afternoon by a visitor to the island, which is part of the Metro Vancouver regional district.

The police department’s marine vessel was used to transport members of the Vancouver Aquarium’s marine mammal rescue to the beach.

The pup was safely retrieved about two hours after the case was first reported to authorities.

Police say the seal, named “Canadian Bacon,” is only about a week old and is now under the care of the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society.

The society says it is cautiously optimistic that she may be able to be returned to the wild in a few months’ time.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 22, 2026.

The Canadian Press