Seal Nursed Back To Health At Mystic Aquarium Released

MYSTIC, CT — Following weeks of rehabilitation at Mystic Aquarium's Animal Rescue Clinic, a male gray seal pup that had been found malnourished on Misquamicut State Beach has been returned to the ocean. The eight-week-old seal was found in thin body condition, weighing only 30 pounds, and minimally responsive, according to a statement from the aquarium.

Staff and volunteers of the Aquarium's Animal Rescue Program nurtured the seal back to health, and he more than doubled his weight to more than 60 pounds since his arrival.

Mystic Aquarium released the pup back into the ocean at Blue Shutters Beach, near his original location. This release is Mystic Aquarium's first seal release of 2022.

A seal pup was reported in February on Misquamicut State Beach in Westerly, RI. Since then, was transported to the Animal Rescue Clinic at Mystic Aquarium for rehabilitation.

"The goal of Mystic Aquarium's Animal Rescue Program is to rescue marine mammals in need of help and rehabilitate them to be released back into the wild," Sarah Callan, Animal Rescue program manager said in a statement. "Animal Rescue Clinic care is different from the care provided to the resident seals at the Aquarium. We do not train seals in the clinic, but instead ensure that they remain wild so they will thrive upon release.

"We are thankful that our community reported the Misquamicut seal quickly, so he was able to be rescued quickly and could receive care before he became critical. We are optimistic that the seal will thrive in the ocean."

For more information on Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program, visit their website.