Mystic Aquarium

MYSTIC, Conn. (April 29, 2009) – After only four weeks in Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration’s Seal Rescue Clinic, the seal rescued from a parking lot in Norwich on March 30 will be released back into the wild today at 11 a.m. at Blue Shutters Beach in Charlestown, R.I.

The harp seal will be joined by two others – a hooded and grey seal – who are also ready to return to the ocean:

Female Harp Seal
This female yearling harp seal was rescued from a parking lot at Brown Memorial Park in Norwich on March 30 and brought to the Seal Rescue Clinic. The seal was lethargic, and the admittance exam revealed severe dehydration and an elevated white blood cell count. The seal was given antibiotics and treated for dehydration and has recovered quickly.

Male Hooded Seal
This seal was rescued by the Maine Department of Marine Resources and transferred to the Seal Rescue Clinic on February 12. The admittance exam revealed the seal was mildly dehydrated and had possible shark bite wounds on its face and flippers. Seal Rescue Clinic staff cleaned the wounds and treated the seal with antibiotics to prevent infection. He also was treated for dehydration. He has recovered well and is currently the Seal Rescue Clinic’s largest animal, weighing in at more than 120 pounds.

Female Grey Seal
This seal was rescued by the New Jersey Marine Mammal Stranding Center and brought to the aquarium on April 8. She was in good health upon arrival, but slightly thin. While staying in the Seal Rescue Clinic, she has gained weight and is ready for release.Blood work results for each of these seals today were unremarkable.

About Sea Research Foundation, Inc.
Mystic Aquarium, Institute for Exploration and Immersion Presents are divisions of Sea Research Foundation, Inc., a private, non-profit, charitable organization incorporated in the State of Connecticut. The mission of Sea Research is to inspire people to care for and protect our ocean planet through education, research and exploration.

About Sea Research Foundation’s Stranding Department
Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration has been rescuing stranded marine mammals for more than 30 years, and is a founding member of the Northeast Regional Stranding Network. The network consists of independent organizations dedicated to caring for sick and injured animals and learning more about the reasons they come ashore. Stranding Department staff care for sea turtles and marine mammals, from the smallest seals to whales. In all, the aquarium has responded to more than 800 stranding calls from the public, treating more than 300 marine mammals and releasing more than 160 that would have died had they been left on the shore.