La Jolla Welcomes First Seal Pup of 2026

Volunteers monitor the cove to protect the seals during pupping season.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 7:47pm

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The first seal pup of 2026 has been born in La Jolla, California. Volunteers from the Sierra Club Seal Society are closely monitoring the pup, named Persimmon, to ensure its safety and that of other seals during pupping season, which runs from mid-December to mid-May. The volunteers also educate visitors about the importance of keeping a safe distance from the seals to prevent them from being abandoned by their mothers.

Why it matters

Seal pupping season is a delicate time, and human interference can have serious consequences for the pups. The Sierra Club Seal Society works to protect the seals and educate the public about the need to respect the seals' space during this critical period.

The details

Persimmon, the first seal pup of 2026, has been thriving since its birth in late January. Volunteers say the pup is growing quickly and exhibiting natural behaviors like swimming on its back. However, the volunteers have also found recent evidence of human footprints on the beach, which is off-limits during pupping season. Last year, three sea lion pups died at the cove, with human contact suspected as a contributing factor. The volunteers and San Diego lifeguards monitor the cove daily to prevent dangerous interactions between the seals and visitors.

  • Persimmon, the first seal pup of 2026, was born in late January.
  • Pupping season in La Jolla runs from mid-December to mid-May.

The players

Persimmon

The first seal pup born in La Jolla in 2026.

Sierra Club Seal Society of San Diego

A volunteer organization that monitors the seals and educates the public about protecting them during pupping season.

Purnima Oza

A volunteer with the Sierra Club Seal Society of San Diego.

Gail Shooter

A San Diego visitor who was surprised to see the seal pup.

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What they’re saying

“We had no idea that it was pupping season! I didn't know that was a thing.”

— Gail Shooter, San Diego visitor (10news.com)

“She's growing phenomenally. She's playing, she gets on her back now, she actually swims on her back! She's so funny.”

— Purnima Oza, Seal Society Volunteer (10news.com)

“Nobody is allowed on the beach for their safety, for their protection. They're a protected species.”

— Purnima Oza, Seal Society Volunteer (10news.com)

“If people were to touch them or spook them or get too close, the mother will in fact abandon it because the scent of a human is threatening to seals.”

— Purnima Oza, Seal Society Volunteer (10news.com)

What’s next

In the coming weeks, more seal pups are expected to arrive at the La Jolla cove.

The takeaway

Protecting seal pups during their vulnerable pupping season is crucial, and the Sierra Club Seal Society's efforts to educate the public and monitor the cove are vital to ensuring the safety of these protected marine mammals.