Current Patients at MMSC

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! 

Grey seal pups are known for picking interesting napping spots. This little female was discovered nestled up in the dunes in Ocean City on Valentine’s Day.  A certified MMSC Stranding Volunteer local to the area was dispatched to watch over the sleeping pup until our Stranding Technician arrived. The little seal was in thin overall body condition, and had some irritation from sand in her eyes. We are estimating her age to be approximately 6-8 weeks old. Her intake weight was 30.4 lbs. and she is 37” in length.

This pup likely did not learn how to eat very well on her own after being weaned from her mother. Grey seals only nurse for about two weeks, and once weaned they are completely independent. Grey seal pups weigh about 30-35lbs when they are born, and by the time they are weaned they can triple their body weight. The pups will live off their fat reserves as they learn to hunt for fish on their own. It seems this little one wasn't successfully feeding herself, so she dropped back down to close to birth weight by the time she completed her 300+ mile marathon swim from the pupping grounds in New England (even as far as Canada!) to New Jersey. 

Once the pup arrived at the Center, she was moved into the Tub 5 of the Quonset Hut. The pup was given critical supportive care and nutritional support through tube feeding a mixture of formula and electrolytes. The Stranding Technicians are currently assist feeding her fish. This little pup will stay with us until she has recovered and gained weight before being released back into the wild.

Update 2/27/26:   This patient is now eating very well on her own, and starting to put on some much-needed weight. Her body condition has visibly improved since she stranded on Valentine’s Day.

 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.