Elephant Seal Pup Brutally Attacked on Neskowin Beach
People strolling Neskowin Beach near Proposal Rock in Oregon on the evening of March 16, 2025, stumbled onto a scene that left many shocked—a young elephant seal pup bearing fresh stab wounds. The injuries, inflicted sometime between 8:00 and 11:30 p.m., shocked both local beachgoers and marine wildlife workers. But against the odds, the pup managed to hang on, displaying a resilience nobody expected in the aftermath of such a brutal attack.
Rapid action from the Marine Mammal Stranding Team proved crucial. Rescuers got the bleeding animal to a secure location right away, providing care that likely saved its life. This isn’t your everyday wildlife rescue; violent crimes against marine mammals like this are exceptionally rare on the Oregon coast. It’s led federal investigators to push hard for answers, and for some, it raises big questions about how far some people might go—even on protected public lands.
Details of the Attack and Search for the Suspect
Federal wildlife authorities aren’t letting this case slip through the cracks. NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement is leading the investigation, focusing their search on a particular man seen not far from the crime scene that night. Witnesses provided a vivid description: a white man, about 5'10", with black and white hair, a close-cropped beard, and a tooth gap you’d notice if you passed him on the street. His thick aviator glasses, blue-and-green fleece layered over a flannel, dark pants, hiking boots, and a blue-and-yellow thin cord necklace (the kind climbers use) could make him stand out anywhere. The cap on his head—a low-profile black one with an orange excavator logo and the word 'Timber' stitched in—is another detail that sticks in the mind.
Eric Morgan, Deputy Special Agent in Charge at NOAA's enforcement arm, spelled out just how disturbing the attack was. It’s not often you hear about someone taking a knife to a helpless seal pup, let alone on a beach known for families, walkers, and ocean lovers. He’s called for the public to help—urging anyone with even a sliver of information or a memory of seeing this distinctively dressed man to step forward.
- Suspect: White male, approx. 5'10", black and white hair, short beard, noticeably gapped front teeth.
- Clothing: Aviator glasses, blue/green fleece, lined flannel, dark pants, hiking boots.
- Accessories: Blue and yellow thin climbing-style cord necklace; black cap with orange 'Timber' excavator logo.
Wildlife protections for animals like elephant seals are strict, making an attack like this not just cruel, but a serious federal crime. NOAA’s investigation is pulling in resources and attention from conservationists and law enforcement alike, as they try to connect leads and prevent anything like this from happening again.
The case is a wake-up call for how vulnerable marine wildlife can be, even in seemingly safe coastal spots. As investigators continue to gather details and the young seal continues its recovery, Oregon’s tight-knit coastal community is watching—and waiting for justice to be served.
