NH's First Rescued Seal to be Released

RYE, NH - NH’s Marine Mammal Rescue Team (MMRT) first responded to Oregano, a male weanling harbor seal, on Oct. 2, 2015, on Jenness Beach in Rye. He was bright, alert, and responsive, but noticeably thin, had small abscesses on his body, a flipper wound, and was exhibiting signs of an upper respiratory infection (sneezing and evidence of discharge from the nostrils), according to a press statement. The orange/rust coloring on the fur is either algae that has dried or old fur that is ready to molt.

The next morning, Oregano was spotted at the edge of the marsh grass at Seabrook Beach. His health had noticeably declined; he was lethargic, likely due to a long journey through large wave activity. He was crated for transport for medical attention and rehabilitation at the National Marine Life Center (NMLC) in Buzzards Bay, MA.

When Oregano first arrived at NMLC, he was approximately 4 months old and weighed 30 pounds; harbor seals are born between May in June and are year-round residents of the Gulf of Maine. NMLC administered antibiotics and fortified his food (fish) with vitamins. Within two months, Oregano regained his health and now weighs a robust 70 pounds.

During his stay, he contracted seal pox, a virus commonly contracted in the wild and rehabilitation. Some of his healing pox are still visible on his head and neck. The ocean’s salt water will be beneficial for his full recovery.

He will be released back into the wild at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015, at Wallis Sands State Beach, 1050 Ocean Blvd. in Rye.