Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program Releases Seal Just Weeks
into the New Year
Thursday
may have been “Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day,” but Mystic Aquarium’s Animal
Rescue Program did anything but that earlier that morning, as each and every
day they resolve to care for stranded seals with the ultimate goal of releasing
them back into the ocean.
Such
was the case for Laysan, a young harbor seal that was released in
Charlestown, RI. He is the last of rehabilitated seals rescued during the
Program’s 2018 season.
Laysan
was rescued in Falmouth, ME, by the Marine Mammals of Maine and was transferred
to the Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Clinic at the start of May.
Laysan was considered to have been abandoned shortly after birth and was also believed to be premature, arriving at the Aquarium as an approximately one week old pup.
Laysan was considered to have been abandoned shortly after birth and was also believed to be premature, arriving at the Aquarium as an approximately one week old pup.
In
addition to the Clinic’s customary around-the-clock care provided to young
admits, Laysan also required surgery for an infection.
Following several months of dedicated care from the staff, interns and volunteers of the Animal Rescue Team, Laysan has fully recovered. As a result of the additional required medical care, the seal has been satellite tagged for tracking.
Following several months of dedicated care from the staff, interns and volunteers of the Animal Rescue Team, Laysan has fully recovered. As a result of the additional required medical care, the seal has been satellite tagged for tracking.
Laysan’s
full story will be told in an upcoming episode of Mystic Aquarium’s Facebook
Watch program, ‘Aquarium
Rehab. ‘
Weighing
close to 60 pounds on release day, the approximately nine month old seal
leisurely made his way to the water’s edge with the encouragement of a small
group of community and members of Mystic Aquarium’s team.
Laysan’s release timed out perfectly, taking place just one month
before Mystic
Aquarium’s 6th Annual Seal Splash – a vital fundraiser that
invites participants to plunge into the chilly waters of Long Island Sound in
support of the Animal Rescue Program’s efforts.
Mystic Aquarium is welcoming its community to help support the
rescue, rehabilitation and release of stranded seals by registering as a
‘splasher’ or starting fundraising efforts now for this year’s Seal Splash.
Then, join the Animal Rescue Team and a hardy group of ‘splashers’ at Eastern
Point Beach February 16.
