Current Patients at MMSC

Last week the Marine Mammal Stranding Center welcomed a second patient from our stranding network colleagues from out of state. This male Grey seal pup was rescued by the North Carolina Aquariums OBX Marine Mammal Stranding Network after stranding in Corova, North Carolina. The pup had been hauled out on the beach for several days, and was very lethargic. OBXMMSN reached out to MMSC to ask if we had rehabilitation space available, and soon a transfer to New Jersey was planned. 

The seal was first transported to Virginia Aquarium to be triaged. Radiographs (x-rays) confirmed a small foreign body was present in the digestive tract. After an overnight stay at their facility, the VAQ team stabilized the Grey seal for the trip north, meeting up with our stranding network partners colleagues from the MERR Institute for the second leg of the seal’s journey through Delaware. After a trip across the Delaware Bay aboard the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, the seal was met by MMSC staff on the New Jersey side of the terminal before completing the final leg of his journey to our facility. 

Upon arrival, an intake exam was performed, with additional bloodwork and cultures taken. The pup’s intake weight was 46.4 lbs. He is currently resting in Pen A of the Intensive Care Unit and is being treated for foreign body ingestion and dehydration. This patient is currently in guarded condition.

We are currently caring for seven seals in our hospital. Won't you please consider making a donation to MMSC this seal season to help support our efforts with sick and injured marine mammals? Thank you so much for your support!

On March 30th we received a call for a Grey seal hauled out on the beach in Wildwood Crest at Toledo Ave. The caller indicated that the seal had been on the beach in the same location for over 24 hours. A certified Stranding Volunteer local to the area was immediately dispatched to observe the seal while MMSC’s Stranding Coordinator responded.

The male Grey seal pup was transported to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center for a medical assessment. In addition to being underweight, the examination revealed that the seal was suffering from an oral infection and had thick discharge coming from his ears. Bloodwork and cultures were taken, and treatment for infection was started. Staff began supportive care via tube feeding formula to rehydrate the seal and provide nutritional support. The pup’s intake weight was 38.6 lbs. He is currently resting comfortably in Tub 8 of the Hut. This patient is currently being assist-fed his meals.

This female Harp seal was rescued by our colleagues at the Virginia Aquarium after stranding in Virginia Beach on Saint Patrick’s Day (March 17th). She was found hauled out on the beach for an extended period, and was very lethargic and dehydrated. After a full medical evaluation at VAQ it was determined that the seal needed to be admitted, however there was no rehabilitation space available, so she would need to be transferred to another facility for her recovery. The VAQ team reached out to MMSC for help, and soon a plan to transfer the Harp seal to New Jersey was put into action. 

Transporting the patient here took careful consideration, coordination and teamwork. The Virginia Aquarium team stabilized the Harp seal for the early morning transport, meeting our colleagues from the MERR Institute in northern Virginia for the second leg of the seal’s journey through Maryland and Delaware. After a trip across the Delaware Bay aboard the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, the seal was met by MMSC staff on the New Jersey side of the terminal before completing the final leg to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center. Here she was met by MMSC’s veterinarian for her intake exam. Additional bloodwork and cultures were taken, and she is currently being treated for dehydration and malnutrition. Her intake weight was 53 lbs. The Harp seal is currently resting comfortably in Tub 5 of the Hut. We are happy to report that after settling into our hospital over the weekend she has started eating fish on her own.

On March 18th this male Grey seal was spotted on the beach at Plainfield Ave. in Lavallette. He appeared to be in good overall body condition, so he was left to rest on the beach under the watchful eye of a certified MMSC Stranding Volunteer until nightfall. When the volunteer returned to check on him the following morning, there was evidence that the seal had been vomiting bile overnight. The Stranding Team transported the juvenile Grey seal to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center where he was admitted into the hospital for veterinary care. The seal was given critical supportive care and nutritional support through tube feeding a mixture of formula and electrolytes. Bloodwork and cultures were taken, and treatment for gastrointestinal illness was started. He weighed 53.6 lbs. at intake. This patient is currently resting comfortably in Tub 6 of the Hut, and has started eating fish on his own.

On March 6th we received a call for a seal resting near the dunes close to a beach access path in Mantoloking. The male Grey seal pup was in good body condition with no obvious signs of injury. The seal’s behavior was observed overnight by certified Stranding Volunteers local to the area. When the seal didn't move on by the following morning, the Stranding Team returned the next day on March 7th to transport the pup to MMSC for an evaluation. Wheezing was detected upon examination, raising concerns that he was suffering from a respiratory infection. Once admitted into the hospital, staff began supportive care via tube feeding electrolytes and formula. Treatment for a respiratory infection was started. The seal's intake weight was 33.4lbs. Our newest patient is currently resting comfortably in Tub 5 of the Quonset Hut. We are happy to report that he has already started to eat fish on his own.  

We are currently caring for four seals in our hospital. Won't you please consider making a donation to MMSC this seal season to help support our efforts with sick and injured marine mammals? Thank you so much for your support! 

 On February 11th this male Harbor seal was spotted on the beach in Beach Haven Gardens. The seal was very lethargic, suffering from multiple small wounds on his body and nasal discharge. The Stranding Team immediately transported him to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center where he was admitted into the hospital for veterinary care. The seal was given critical supportive care and nutritional support through tube feeding a mixture of formula and electrolytes. Bloodwork and cultures were taken, and a treatment plan for respiratory infection was started.  The approximately 1 year old seal weighed 46.4 lbs. at intake. He is currently resting comfortably in Pen 4 of the Pool House. We are happy to report that this patient has started eating on his own. 

Update 2/27/26: This patient is eating very well on his own, and is currently enjoying 6lbs of fish daily. Most of his wounds have healed. He has also recently completed treatment for a respiratory infection, and will be due for follow-up bloodwork in two weeks to check his progress.