The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-16
SEALS AS NUIsANCEs.
New View of the Much Pitied PeIasic
Coyote.
From the San Francisco Can.


From the San Francisco Can.
The seals of Ano Nuevo Island are prac-
tically unknown 10 both scientists and the
public, Notwithstanding the fact that the
herds there are the largest on the Pacific
coast and the habits of the species are the
most distinctive.
In many ways their habits are somewhat
similar to those of sea birds. Once a year
the rocks or rookeries are covered with
seals. Young are born and raised there,
and then a general migration takes place
of all but the old females. For months
the rookeries are comparatively deserted.
The seals come and go at regular inter-
walls.
If you will look at a map of California,
and closely examine the southwestern por-
ton of the coast Of San Mateo county, you
will find Ano Nuevo Island. Although
only about thirty-five miles from San
Francisco, in a direct line, 1t is a most
difficult place 10 get at. If everything
goes well 1t can be reached in about twelve
hours but should there be a detention of
any kind the journey may consume two
days. The nearest town is Pescadero,
fourteen miles to the north.
Ano Nuevo Island Is cut off from the
mainland by a channel about mile wide
and the only way to cross Is in the boat
of the keepers of the government fog Sig
nal. The seal rocks are scattered to the
northward of the island, the closest being
only about 800 feet away.
1t was for the purpose Of ascertaining
something about the habits of these seals
and obtaining pictures of them that
Call representative visited Ano Nuevo
lei 81
breeding season. Keeper Butwell of the
| fog signal, whose opportunities for study
ing seals have undoubtedly been most
favorable, gladly furnished all informa-
ton and acted as guide to the seal rocks.
some of the facts that he has gathered
in regard to the habits of seals and the
causes Of their determination are sur
prising and valuable. He has watched
the herds constantly at all seasons for a
period of eight years, and the location Of
the rocks, lying as they do so close to
the island, makes the seals actions as
easily observable as IL they were on the
stage of a theater.
Years ago." said Mr.. Butwell, there
used to be tens Of thousands Of seals on
these rocks, and the killing of them was
a profitable industry. The hides were
used for betting and sold for a good price,
I'm those days the rocks were leased TO
hunters, and the killing went on at
rapid rate OF course, the seals rapidly
diminished in numbers, as males, females,
and pups We're killed Unfortunately.
When / came here eight years ago all
this had stopped. No hunters were al
lowed on the rocks, and it would seem as
II the herds should have again multiplied,
but they didn't. For four years they kept
getting fewer. until there were hardly 100
left.
About this time / began TO study the
cause OF the decrease. From this point
here on the island l can look across TO
the rocks and by taking a glass can bring
the seals up very close had previously
noticed that some of the bulls had habit
Of killing the young, but had no idea the
evil was so general as ! found II to be on
investigation. One morning ! saw a GER
tain bull climb on the rocks and kill about
half a dozen pups. Others did the same,
so II was soon apparent to me that the
bulls were largely responsible for the de-
crease of the herds.
after becoming convinced that num-
Der of vicious bulls did all the mischief
began a systematic killing OF them. used
to so over on the rocks and lie In wait.
Whenever / caught an old fellow In the
act Of killing pup put bullet through
his head. The first season ! killed about
fifty and saved many hundred pups, so
that the second year the herds began TO
increase and this year are larger than
they have been since l commenced my ex-
termination OF the vicious bulls.
THE habits OF these seals are most
peculiar and mysterious. After the pups
are born on the rocks the cows spend two
or three months teaching them TO swim,
and then when the time comes take them
to sea somewhere and leave them. The
young seals do not return 10 the place OF
their birth until they are two years old,
but where they spend the interval Is
mystery. So you see IT took two years TO
tell whether the Killing Of the vicious
bulls did any good or not. But / am sat
ished that 81 did. Al any rate the seals
are increasing at n fair rate, and In a few
years. with proper nursing, think, they
Will be as numerous as ever.
but, really. when we look at II In the
right way there Is no reason why the
seals should be preserved. 1t IL purely a
matter OF sentiment. one full-grown seal
will destroy enough hsh In a week 10 feed
a good-sized town for a month, and the
damage done by the herd Is beyond con-
ceptiOn. Seals are really the coyotes OF
tho sea. and II we look after our own in
terests we would be making efforts 10 de-
stroy them instead OF preserving them.
However II Is not likely they will be de-
stroyed, as they have ceased 90 bo worth
anything commercially.
'rhe largest bull on the rocks would
not yield enough hide. whiskers. etc. 10
sell for $50. When seal hides were used
for betting they were worth about s. each.
but since rubber has been used for this
purpose they are no longer wanted. Seal
hide IS only used now for making buning
wheels, and OF course. the demand Is very
light Really. the seals are not worth
killing should one be 80 Inclined, and any
attempt 10 do 10 as a matter OF business
would surely result In loss"
Every statement made By Mr.. Butwell
was borne out by observation. Standing
on the northern edge Of Ano Nucyo L.
land the seals method OF destroying FISH
could be readily seen. The tide sweeps