Lost Seal Found In Parking Lot To Be Released

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — A sweet little seal, "Strawberry," rescued in January from a Southampton parking lot, is set to be released.

According to the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research & Preservation, the female gray seal will be released on Sunday, Earth Day, at noon in Hampton Bays.

She was rescued from Southampton on Jan. 24 after being found in the parking lot approximately a quarter of a mile from the beach, the Riverhead Foundation said.

The public is invited to watch her being sent home to the wild. And, in honor of Earth Day, a beach cleanup will take place immediately after, for all who would like to join in.

To get to the release site from the east or west: Take Sunrise Highway to Route 24 South toward Hampton Bays, Exit 65. Make a left onto Montauk Highway, go through two traffic lights and make a right onto Ponquogue Avenue, go straight until you come to a stop sign, then make a left onto Shinnecock Road. At the second stop sign make a right onto Foster Avenue and follow the road toward the Ponquogue Bridge; go over the bridge and make a left onto Dune Road. Then make a right into the parking lot of Ponquogue Beach.

The release will take place on the beach directly in front of the beach entrance located on the right side of the parking lot.

"Without you, we couldn't save these animals. Thank you to the public who report strandings," a release said. The 24-hour stranding hotline number is 631-369-9829.

The lost seal was the second reported in January: Also that month, a lost baby gray seal pup who was found in Amagansett was released into Shinnecock Bay.

According to the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation, a call came about the male gray seal, who was seen in Amagansett near Bendigo Road, by the Devon Yacht club.

A rescue team arrived on site and found East Hampton Town Police and patrons all trying to help the animal, the Riverhead Foundation said.

RFRMP's Rescue Supervisor Maxine Montello determined that the animal should go back to their facility for bloodwork and a physical assessment. The blood values and overall health assessment were found to be in good standing, and the baby seal was very alert and active, the RFRMP said.

It's normal to see baby seals that are completely weaned from their mothers on the beach basking or resting, the Riverhead Foundation said.

"This animal unfortunately traveled too far from the water line and was unable to redirect itself," experts said.

This year, each of the marine mammals and sea turtles rescued by RFMRP will be named after ice cream flavors, RFMRP said.

That first baby seal was named "Fudge Brownie," the release said.

Fudge Brownie had lost his way and was found ready to cross the road,
according to Chuck Bowman, president of the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation; a call came in about the month-old male seal pup.

What was interesting about that seal pup, Bowman said, was that he could have used a GPS.

"Instead of going back in the water, he decided to head west, up the road a bit. A passerby near the beach found him about to cross the road. We're calling him a lost seal without a compass," he said.

The person who found the seal called the Riverhead Foundation; the organization brought him back to the rescue center in Riverhead.

The first seal pup was about 2 feet long, Bowman said. "He's very small, very cute — but he'll bite you as soon as look at you," he said. "This one is very feisty."

He added that the Riverhead Foundation has done a lot this year with cold stunned sea turtles, too — there are currently about 11 or 12 at the rescue center, which were found during the late fall and early winter when the temperatures took a plunge.
The RFMRP added that with seal pup season in full swing, anyone who finds one should call (631) 369-9829.

"Make sure to give the animal its space and do not try to touch the animal," Riverhead Foundation reps said.

Seals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act; those who see them should observe seals and other marine mammals from safe distances of at least 50 yards, or 150 feet, by land or sea and at least 333 yards, 1,000 feet, by air.

Photos courtesy Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation.