Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration

Mystic Aquarium is a founding member of the Northeast Regional Stranding Network, and rescues stranded marine mammals on the coast of Connecticut , Rhode Island and Fisher’s Island , NY . Prior to 1999, the most commonly stranded seal species in our response area were harbor seals and grey seals. Since then we have seen increasing numbers of harp and hooded seals strand in our area.

Scientists at Mystic Aquarium, in collaboration with The Riverhead Foundation on Long Island , NY , received funding to attach satellite tags to a number of these animals of each species upon release back into the wild. Tracking these animals provides us with information on their natural migration patterns as well as assuring us that we are doing a good job rehabilitating and releasing healthy animals back into the wild. Take a look at the maps below to see how far and fast these animals can travel.