One Lucky Harbor Seal Released by Mystic Aquarium’s
Animal Rescue Team
After six months of specialized care from Mystic Aquarium’s
Animal Rescue Team, Pumpkin, a female harbor seal approximately 10 months old,
was released on St. Patrick’s Day morning at Blue Shutters Beach in Charlestown.
Rescued from Ipswich, Mass. on September 15, 2015 by the
Seacoast Science Center, Pumpkin weighed only 33 lbs. when she arrived at
Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Clinic. Suffering from poor body condition and
several facial wounds, she received extended treatment.
Weighing in at more than 72 lbs., Pumpkin’s return to the ocean was celebrated with beautiful weather and the cheerful spirit of St. Patrick’s Day.
Weighing in at more than 72 lbs., Pumpkin’s return to the ocean was celebrated with beautiful weather and the cheerful spirit of St. Patrick’s Day.
This St. Patrick’s Day celebration shines a light on “going green” in a whole new way.
Whether it’s safeguarding the natural populations of marine mammals
through the Animal Rescue Program, providing conservation-minded programming
that allows community participation or simply cleaning up local beaches, Mystic
Aquarium celebrates the green lifestyle in everything they do in an effort to
protect and care for our ocean planet.
Currently, Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue team is caring for four different species of seals–including harbor, gray, harp and hooded seals- along with an endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle.
Currently, Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue team is caring for four different species of seals–including harbor, gray, harp and hooded seals- along with an endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle.
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
