Current Patients at MMSC

On April 12th the Marine Mammal Stranding Center received an urgent call reporting an entangled seal pup in Long Branch, New Jersey on the beach in front of Ocean Pointe Towers. The male Grey seal pup had a section of monofilament net wrapped around his neck which had caused a significant injury. A MMSC Stranding Technician immediately mobilized from the Brigantine facility as a certified Stranding Volunteer local to Long Branch was dispatched to the scene. The volunteer stayed on the beach to watch over the seal in the heavy rain and wind, ensuring no one spooked the pup back into the water before staff arrived. Once on scene, our Stranding Technician safely captured the seal. With the help of our volunteer and several Good Samaritans, the seal was gently carried off the beach and over the walkway to the waiting Stranding Response Vehicle. 

As the seal was transferred from the net into the crate, the severity of the wound was very apparent. The monofilament net, likely a gill net, appears to have been on the seal's neck for quite a while, having become embedded one inch deep into the seal's blubber and flesh. Also entangled in the net with the seal was a deceased spiny dogfish. Several puncture wounds were found on the seal’s ventral side. The seal was rushed to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center where the line was successfully removed by our Stranding Coordinator. The wounds were cleaned and treated, and medication has been started to prevent infection and to keep him comfortable as he heals. This 67.4 lb. pup is resting comfortably in Tub 8 of the Quonset Hut under the care of staff and volunteers, and is currently being assist-fed. Due to the extent of his injuries, this patient is in guarded condition.

This is the third entangled seal rescued by the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in less than one month, and the second seal found in what appears to be sections of gill net. 

On   April 3rd we received a report of an injured seal lying on the beach in Brigantine. When our Stranding Coordinator arrived, he found a very male Grey seal pup suffering from several lacerations on his front flippers, shoulders and mouth, as well as severe edema (swelling) of his left rear flipper. The pup was immediately transported to the Center for medical treatment. Upon his arrival, the team cleaned his wounds and administered supportive care and nutritional support via tube feeding a mixture of formula and electrolytes. Oral and topical medication were started to prevent infection, as well as pain medication to help keep him comfortable as he recovers. We are very happy to report that this patient is eating on his own, and his behavior is appropriately aggressive. Our newest patient, who weighed 50.2 lbs. at intake, is resting comfortably in Pen 1 of the Pool House. 

On March 26th the Marine Mammal Stranding Center received an urgent call for an entangled seal pup in North Beach, Long Beach Island. The male Grey seal’s body was wrapped in a small section of monofilament line, possibly a gill net. The seal was rushed to MMSC's hospital where he was examined. The line was carefully removed by the Stranding Team. Fortunately, the entanglement did not cause any significant injuries, but was still tight enough to leave impressions in the skin, indicating he did not have much time before the line would have started cutting into his flesh.

During the medical examination the seal showed symptoms of a respiratory infection, so he was admitted into rehabilitation for treatment. The pup's intake weight was 53 lbs. The Stranding Technicians have started supportive care via tube feeding with a mixture of electrolytes to rehydrate the new patient, and formula for nutritional support. He is currently resting comfortably in Pen 4 of the Pool House.

This male Grey seal pup was found stranded on March 26th in Beach Haven Gardens, Long Beach Island. He had several minor wounds and was wheezing. He is currently being treated for a suspected respiratory infection. His intake weight was 34.4lbs. He is resting comfortably in Pen C of the ICU.

This  male Grey seal pup was found stranded on March 23rd in Port Monmouth. He was suffering from edema (swelling) of his left rear flipper and an apparent mass on his right hip. He is currently being treated for infection with both oral and topical medications, as well as medication to keep him comfortable. His intake weight was 55.6lbs. He is resting comfortably in Pen 2 of the Pool House. This patient is in guarded condition. 

This male Grey seal pup was found stranded on March 23rd in Elberon, suffering from a large 8” long laceration on his back. He is currently being treated for infection with both oral and topical medications, as well as medication to keep him comfortable. His intake weight was 45.4lbs. He is currently resting comfortably in Tub 7 of the Hut. This patient is in stable but guarded condition due to the extent of his injuries.

This juvenile male Grey seal stranded on March 14thin Cape May Point, New Jersey. He was coughing and is also underweight for his overall body length. MMSC’s Stranding Team transported the pup to the Center where he was immediately given supportive care and nutritional support via tube feeding a mixture of formula and electrolytes. His intake weight was 42.8 lbs. with a body length of 42 inches. Our new patient is being treated for a respiratory infection, and is currently resting comfortably in Tub 6 of the Quonset Hut. We are happy to report that he began showing interest in food quickly, and the pup started eating on his own on his second day in our hospital.

On March 4th this male Grey seal pup was spotted on the beach in Atlantic City close to the Golden Nugget Casino parking lot. When the Stranding Technician arrived, he discovered the pup was suffering from a large open wound on the back of his head. While we don't know exactly what type of animal (terrestrial or aquatic predator) caused his injury, it is severe enough to require intervention. The injured seal was transported to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center where he was admitted for medical treatment. After MMSC’s veterinarian examined his wound, a treatment plan was started to prevent infection. Both oral and topical medication has been started to battle infection, as well as pain medication to help keep him comfortable as he recovers. Despite his injury, the approximately 2-3 month old seal is in good body condition, weighing in at 52lbs. He has started eating on his own. This patient is currently resting comfortably in Tub 5 of the Quonset Hut, and is in stable but guarded condition due to the severity of his injury.

On February 24th we received a call for a Grey seal resting on the beach in Leonardo. The male pup was very underweight and still had 10% of his white birthing coat (lanugo). Once he was admitted to the hospital the staff began supportive care and nutritional support via tube feeding formula and electrolytes. His intake weight was 33.4 lbs. The patient is currently being assist-fed by the Stranding Technicians, and is in guarded condition. He is resting comfortably in Pen 3 of the Pool House.

On February 23rd we received a report of a seal hauled out on the beach in Beach Haven. The female Grey seal was underweight and had lacerations on the right side of her face and neck. The seal was admitted into the hospital for treatment for a suspected respiratory infection. Her intake weight was 33.4 lbs. The patient is currently being assist-fed by the Stranding Technicians, and is resting comfortably in Pen 4 of the Pool House.

On Monday December 30th, we received a report of an injured seal lying on the beach in Mantoloking. When our Stranding Team arrived, they found an underweight female Harbor seal suffering from swelling in her left rear flipper, abrasions on her right rear flipper, and an injured left eye. The approximately two year old seal was likely born in the spring of 2023. She was immediately transported to MMSC for medical treatment and supportive care. Upon her arrival, staff administered fluids and flushed out her wounds. MMSC's veterinarian performed a full medical examination including bloodwork for further diagnostics. Oral medications and antibiotic eye drops have been started to prevent infection of her wounds. The subadult seal, who weighed 80lbs at intake, is resting comfortably in Pen 1 of the Pool House. She is currently being assist-fed by the Stranding Technicians. 

Update January 8th:  Our patient has started eating on her own, currently consuming over 6lbs of fish daily, divided over three meals. Our veterinarian believes the issue with her left eye is actually an older, healed injury.   It is still too early to tell if it will impact her ability to thrive, there are still many steps in her recovery before we can evaluate her skills needed for life in the wild. 

Update January 21st:  She continues to have a strong appetite, now consuming 10.5lbs of fish every day to slowly bring her up to a healthy weight. The swelling in her flipper continues to improve with treatment. She is behaving appropriately aggressive, a behavior we like to see in our wild patients.