A local celebrity is once again in the spotlight, with a Vancouver author writing a new children’s book starring Emerson the elephant seal.
Emerson made headlines last year after he appeared at a Saanich park to complete his yearly moult, which involves an elephant seal coming on shore for roughly a month to shed their fur and skin.
The adorable juvenile seal, who weighed approximately 500 pounds, did not moult quietly, however, drawing crowds and crossing streets, prompting Fisheries and Oceans Canada to relocate him twice.
He needed to be moved twice because he swam back down to Victoria from Barkley Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island after the first relocation attempt.
RELATED: Emerson transported out of Greater Victoria for 2nd time
Now, Vancouver author Ginger Ngo has written a “light-hearted romp” about Emerson’s adventures in B.C.’s capital, highlighting local landmarks in “Emerson The Elephant Seal.”
“The more I learned about Emerson, I don’t know, the more I fell in love with him,” said Ngo.
Besides being cute and “majestic,” Ngo says she was inspired to write the story because of the community’s interest in the animal.
“I think there’s always creatures and animals kind of coming into the city and everyone kind of takes photos of them. But whenever I came across people talking about Emerson – or even news reports… it feels like people talk about him like he’s a neighbour or part of the community,” said Ngo.
“I thought there was just something really special about that, because he wasn’t just like a random seal that people found,” she said. “The fact that they call him by his name is also kind of special.”
The children’s book, Emerson The Elephant Seal is shown.
The children’s book, Emerson The Elephant Seal is shown.
On Friday, Fisheries and Oceans Canada told CHEK News that there have been no reports of Emerson sightings this year, meaning its unlikely he’ll appear since moulting season is mostly wrapped up.
“However, wild animals are unpredictable,” the DFO said.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada adds that Emerson may be larger this year if he’s spotted. Last year, he weighed approximately 500 pounds as a juvenile elephant seal. When male elephant seals are fully mature around five years old, they can weigh more than 4,000 pounds, “roughly the size of a bear.”
“The Department’s hope is that Emerson has matured, gained some ‘street smarts,’” said DFO.
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The new children’s book is the first book Ngo has ever written, and is the second time she’s illustrated one.
She hopes that book is an accurate reflection of Victoria as a visitor, an experience she feels she shares with Emerson, as Ngo immigrated to B.C. from the Philippines.
“The book, I think I wanted to have nods of this community and this place from my point of view, which I think is also Emerson’s,” she said. “He didn’t grow up in Victoria. There’s something really special about the place from a tourist point of view with the heart of loving Canada.”
Ngo says there’s no plans for a sequel, but that could change if Emerson ever decides to return.
“Oh my gosh, I hope he comes back. I guess he’s taking a gap year to find himself,” she said. “I hope he comes back just to visit. Hopefully he’ll have seen more of the world and tell everybody his adventures and then we can do a second book if he wants to.”
The book can be purchased from the B.C.-based Harbour Publishing online or at any Canadian bookstore.
While Emerson drew spectators because he was cute, the DFO stresses that humans should never disturb wildlife.
Anyone who sees a marine mammal being harmed or harassed in B.C. can call the DFO at 1-800-465-4336 or by email at DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.