A busy year for Mystic’s Marine Animal Rescue folks
By
Will Collette
 |
| I took this photo at an earlier release. The moment they hit the water is the stuff of celebration |
Another
group of harbor seals are ready to be released after having been rescued and
rehabilitated by the good people at Mystic Aquarium’s Marine Animal Rescue
program.
The
release is scheduled for 10:00am, Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at
Charlestown’s Blue Shutters Beach on East Beach Road.
Here are details from Stevi Bramich at Mystic:
The number of successful seal releases continues to climb
this year for Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program. With 20
successful releases thus far, the Animal Rescue Team will release three more
harbor seals, Pyrite, Beryl and Ivory, on Tuesday morning.
NOTE: most of these seals were released in the waters off Charlestown.
Pyrite was abandoned shortly after birth and was rescued in
Southport, ME; arriving at Mystic Aquarium on May 8 weighing approximately 18
pounds. He currently weighs more than 60 pounds.
Beryl was found in thin body condition and was rescued in Wells,
ME; arriving at Mystic Aquarium on August 28 weighing approximately 30 pounds.
He currently weighs more than 52 pounds.
Ivory was also found in thin body condition and was rescued in
Scarborough, ME; arriving at Mystic Aquarium on August 28 weighing
approximately 24 pounds. She currently weighs more than 48 pounds.
Now healthy and prepared for life at sea, the seals are
ready for release. Please join us on the beach and celebrate their return to
their ocean environment.
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
A nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, Mystic Aquarium 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
Mystic Aquarium is to inspire people to care for and protect our ocean planet
through conservation, education and research. Mystic Aquarium receives major
support from United Technologies Corporation, The Coca-Cola Company and
Foxwoods Resort Casino.