From LA NACION · Darío Palavecino · · 3m
Saturnino the seal pup faces life alone after mother returns to sea
A young elephant seal born in Mar del Plata has been weaned after 24 days and must now survive on his own as his mother Perla returns to the ocean.
In brief
A young elephant seal born in Mar del Plata has been weaned after 24 days and must now survive on his own as his mother Perla returns to the ocean. Saturnino, an elephant seal pup born in Mar del Plata in mid-October, has been weaned after 24 days as his mother Perla returned to the sea on November 8th. Originally…
A new name for the pup
The municipality officially named the elephant seal pup Saturnino, replacing the temporary name Alfredito given when he was born in mid-October at Perla Norte beach in Mar del Plata.
Mother and calf arrive
Saturnino was born at Perla Norte beach in Mar del Plata in mid-October. His mother, Perla, stayed with him for 24 days before returning to the sea on Sunday, November 8th.
Weaning begins
Experts say Saturnino must now survive on reserves built up from his mother's milk and venture into the sea to hunt fish, crustaceans and some algae for food.
An abrupt weaning
Natalia Martino, head of the Municipal Parks and Natural Reserves department, explained the process to LA NACION as an abrupt weaning that typically lasts no more than four weeks.
“Es un destete abrupto, así se lo llama”
Signs of departure
In the days before leaving, Perla made trips into the sea moving parallel to the shore while Saturnino called from the sand. These signals showed the weaning period was ending.
A major attraction
On a sunny holiday weekend, hundreds of visitors came to photograph Saturnino at Perla Norte beach. A security fence of almost 200 metres protected the animals from the crowds.
Keeping visitors at distance
The municipality stressed the need to keep away from the animals to avoid stress and injury. Municipal staff were assigned to monitor the area and prevent dogs from disturbing them.
Named after a building
Saturnino was named after the Instituto Saturnino Unzué building that overlooks the beach where he was born. His mother's name, Perla, was never in question.
Significant growth
Saturnino has grown substantially during his 24 days with his mother, a sign of good nutrition. These reserves will support his survival as he learns to hunt independently.
Expected timeline
Experts estimate Saturnino will remain in the Mar del Plata area for at least one and a half to two months. Municipal staff will monitor him wherever he moves along the coast.
Part of a broader pattern
This birth was the only confirmed elephant seal birth in Mar del Plata this year. Two others were verified in Villa Gesell near Faro Querandí, both having completed weaning without problems.
Linked to avian flu impact
These births represent a new situation observed more frequently in the past two years.Specialists link the pattern to possible impacts of avian flu, which caused over 80 percent of elephant seal pup deaths in 2023.
The essence
Saturnino, an elephant seal pup born in Mar del Plata in mid-October, has been weaned after 24 days as his mother Perla returned to the sea on November 8th.
