Mystic Aquarium will release FOUR harbor seals at Blue Shutters Beach tomorrow morning

Mystic's marine mammal rescue program returns to Charlestown with a big show
By Will Collette

Seal releases are one of my favorite beach events and I love the Mystic Aquarium for what they do to make it happen. They take in stranded, ill and abandoned sea mammals from all over New England, nurse them to health and prepare them to return to lives in the wild. They normally release their rehabilitated charges from one of Charlestown's beaches, but last time, they used Narragansett.

Tomorrow, be at Blue Shutters no later than 10 AM. The Mystic crew is generally pretty sharp and professional and don't like to leave the seals in their carry cages for very long. Once those cages are opened, the fun begins.

Here's the Aquarium's media advisory:

Thursday September 11^th at 10AM Mystic Aquarium's Animal Rescue Team Will Release Four Harbor Seal Pups On Blue Shutters Beach, Charlestown, RI

Mystic, Conn, (September 11^th, 2014) - Mystic Aquarium will release four Harbor Seal Pups, named Orion, Bullwinkle, Freya and Loki on Thursday, September 11 at 10AM on Blue Shutters Beach, Charlestown, RI. 

What:    Four young Harbor Seal Pups will be released

When:   10:00 AM, Thursday, September 11^th, 2014

Where:  Blue Shutter Beach, Charlestown, RI

Two male and 2 female harbor seal pups all rescued in May are ready to make their way back to the ocean today at 10:00am. Orion, a neonatal male was rescued in Belfast, Maine by Allied Whale on May 19, 2014 and was transferred to Mystic Aquarium for rehabilitation on May 21, 2014 weighing only 8.9 kg (19.5 lbs.). He now weighs 20.2 kg (44.4 lbs.). He was determined to be an abandoned and dehydrated pup with a small laceration near his left eye. 

Bullwinkle a neonatal female was rescued from Curtis Cove in East Blue Hill, Maine on May 25, 2014 and was transferred to Mystic Aquarium for rehabilitation on May 27, 2014 weighing only 8.1kg (17.5lb). She was determined to be an abandoned pup and was dehydrated. She now weighs 18.2 kg (40 lbs.).

Freya a neonatal female harbor seal pup was rescued from a lobster co-op in Sprucewell, Maine on May 28, 2014 and was transferred to Mystic Aquarium for rehabilitation on May 30, 2014 weighing 9.8 kg (21.5l lbs.). She was determined to be an abandoned pup.  She now weighs 22 kg (48.4 lbs.).

Loki a neonatal male harbor seal pup was rescued from Kennebunkport, Maine on May 31, 2014 and was transferred to Mystic Aquarium for rehabilitation on June 2, 2014 weighing 9.7 kg (21 lbs.). He was an abandoned pup attracting a crowd of attention.  Loki now weighs 18.2 kg

(40 lbs.).  

Here's three of the four excelling in their "Eating Fish 101" class back at the Aquarium

All four abandoned pups were nursing at the time of arrival and all were fed specialized seal formula until they were large enough to transition to fish.  These pups, because they have never hunted on their own, have had to be taught to catch fish before they could be released.  Today they are all healthy and robust. 

It is not uncommon for young pups to be abandoned when the mother seal feels threatened.  This can be due to any number of things, from activity on the beach to a loose dog.  Because of this it is always best for people who spot seals on the beach to keep their distance between them and not approach the seals.  If they see an abandoned pup they should call the sighting into the area stranding hotline and allow the scientists and experts to evaluate these animals.  Remember dogs on beaches in areas where there may be seals, are bestkept on leashes, to avoid any interaction. 

Directions to Blue Shutters Beach from Mystic Aquarium

*Take 95 North to Exit 92 (right)

*Take exit 92. At the bottom of the ramp take a right at the light.

*Take a right onto Rte. 78

*At the end of Rte. 78 take a left at the light onto Rte. 1

*Take Rte. 1 North into Charlestown; follow the sign to East Beach (right)

(Just after the Texaco Station and Charlestown Animal Hospital),

*Take East Beach road to the parking lot at the end of the road, this is Blue Shutters Beach

About Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program

Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program supports animals in need and educates the public about the marine environment and its inhabitants. The public is encouraged to call the aquarium’s 24-hour hotline at 860.572.5955 ext. 107 if they encounter a marine mammal or sea turtle in Conn., R.I. or Fishers Island, N.Y.

Mystic Aquarium is a founding member of the Northeast Region Stranding Network. This network in comprised of organizations along the eastern sea coast which 

have facilities and trained staff to care for sick and injured animals.  Marine Mammals are protected species, so only groups and facilities authorized by the 

National Marine Fisheries Service are permitted to handle these animals.

About Mystic Aquarium

Mystic Aquarium is a division of Sea Research Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, and is counted among the nation’s leading aquariums with more than 300 species and an extensive collection of marine mammals, including New England’s only beluga whales. Mystic Aquarium has been a pioneer in offering guests a variety of up close encounters with a wide range of marine animals. The mission of Sea Research is to inspire people to care for and protect our ocean planet through education, research and exploration. Sea Research receives major support from United Technologies Corporation, The Coca-Cola Company and Foxwoods Resort Casino. Learn more at mysticaquarium.org or searesearch.org.