Recently Released Seals Gallery

On Tuesday February 24th this female Grey seal pup created a bit of a stir in Harvey Cedars when she was found in the middle of Long Beach Blvd. in Harvey Cedars, New Jersey after having wandered up a beach access path sometime in the early morning hours. She was in a very dangerous situation, especially since the pup’s coloration made her look like a lump of snow in the road. Fortunately, an alert driver spotted her and called the police. The Harvey Cedars Police Department and the Harvey Cedars Department of Public Works helped to keep this pup safe until our team arrived on scene. Traffic was blocked as the seal made her way to Middlesex Ave. where she eventually stopped to take a nap in the middle of the block. MMSC's Stranding Team transported the seal to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine. This patient received eight weeks of treatment for a respiratory infection and malnutrition. 

Update 4/21/26: Now weighing a healthy 73lbs, she was tagged #13 on her right rear flipper for future identification and released at the Brigantine Inlet at the North Brigantine Natural Area. In a collaboration with our stranding network partner,  Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, we were able to satellite and acoustic tag her as well! This project will enable us to conduct post rehabilitation monitoring of this former patient.  The tags will provide movement, dive and haul out data. The satellite tag affixed to the seal's back is temporary, and will fall off when she sheds her coat during her next molt. The acoustic tag on the seal's rear flipper will track our former patient's long-term movement as she swims past existing underwater receivers in the mid and north Atlantic Ocean.  For more information on this project, please see the link below.

This female Grey seal pup was discovered nestled up in the dunes in Ocean City on Valentine’s Day.  She was in thin overall body condition, and had some irritation from sand in her eyes. Her intake weight was 30.4 lbs. This patient received six weeks of treatment for malnutrition. 

Update 3/31/26- Fully-recovered and weighing a healthy 68lbs, she was tagged #12 on her right rear flipper for future identification and released at the Brigantine Inlet at the North Brigantine Natural Area.   In a collaboration with our stranding network partner, AMSEAS, we were able to satellite and acoustic tag her as well! This project will enable us to conduct post rehabilitation monitoring of this former patient.  The tags will provide movement, dive and haul out data. The satellite tag affixed to the seal's back is temporary, and will fall off when she sheds her coat during her next molt. The acoustic tag on the seal's rear flipper will track our former patient's long-term movement as she swims past existing underwater receivers in the mid and north Atlantic Ocean.  For more information on this project, please see the link below.

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 was started to prevent infection and to keep him comfortable as he healed. He weighed 67.4 lbs at intake.

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. Fortunately after several months of treatment, the large wound healed, leaving a significant scar around his neck as a visual reminder of what he had endured.

Update 7/15-  Fully-recovered and weighing a healthy 118 lbs, he was ready to be returned to the wild. Tagged #9 on his left rear flipper, he was released on 7/15/25 at the North Brigantine Natural Area.  

This male Grey seal pup was found stranded on March 23rd in Elberon, suffering from a large 8” long laceration on his back, and an injured right eye. He was treated for infection with both oral and topical medications, as well as medication to keep him comfortable as he recovered. His intake weight was 45.4lbs.  It took several months of treatment for the large wound on his back to completely heal. The injury to his right eye left some scar tissue, but retained visual acuity and did not impact his ability to track and capture fish.

Update 7/15-  Fully-recovered and weighing a healthy 85.8 lbs, he was ready to be returned to the wild. Tagged #8 on his left rear flipper, he was released on 7/15/25 at the North Brigantine Natural Area.  

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.

Update 5/27-  Fully-recovered and weighing a healthy 106.4 lbs, he was ready to be returned to the wild. Tagged #6 on his left rear flipper, he was released on 5/27/25 at the North Brigantine Natural Area. 

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.

Update 5/27-  Fully-recovered and weighing a healthy 82.8 lbs, he was ready to be returned to the wild. Tagged #5 on his left rear flipper, he was released on 5/27/25 at the North Brigantine Natural Area. 

This juvenile male Grey seal stranded on March 14th in 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.

Update 5/27-  Fully-recovered and weighing a healthy 90.2 lbs, he was ready to be returned to the wild. Tagged #4 on his left rear flipper, he was released on 5/27/25 at the North Brigantine Natural Area. 

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.

Update 5/8-  Fully-recovered and weighing a healthy 82.3 lbs, he was ready to be returned to the wild. Tagged #2 on his left rear flipper, he was released on 5/8/25 at the North Brigantine Natural Area. 

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.

Update 5/8-  Fully-recovered and weighing a healthy 85.8 lbs, he was ready to be returned to the wild. Tagged #100 on his left rear flipper, he was released on 5/8/25 at the North Brigantine Natural Area. 

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.

Update 5/8-  Fully-recovered and weighing a healthy 68.6 lbs, she was ready to be returned to the wild. Tagged #1 on her right rear flipper, she was released on 5/8/25 at the North Brigantine Natural Area. 

On February 24th a male Harp seal was reported in Stone Harbor. The seal was observed eating sand, an usual behavior Harp seals display when dehydrated, suffering from an illness, or very stressed. Once admitted into the hospital, staff began supportive care via tube feeding to rehydrate the seal, and started treatment to flush the sand out of his system with fluids and mineral oil. His intake weight was 54.2 lbs. We are happy to report that this patient is eating on his own, and is resting comfortably in Tub 8 of the Quonset Hut.

Update 4/9-  Fully-recovered and weighing a healthy 88 lbs, he was ready to be returned to the wild. Tagged #96 on his left rear flipper, he was released on 4/9/25 at the North Brigantine Natural Area. 

Late in the afternoon on February 10th we received a report of a badly injured seal lying on the beach in Longport. When our Stranding Coordinator arrived, he found a very thin male Grey seal pup suffering from several lacerations on his abdomen arranged in a round pattern (approximately the circumference of a dinner plate) as well as several small puncture wounds on the left side of his mouth. 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. During his medical examination MMSC's veterinarian determined the likely cause of the wound was a predation attempt by a shark.  Oral and topical medication has been 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 pup is already showing interest in his food and is starting to eat on his own! Our newest patient, who weighed 37.8 lbs. at intake, is resting comfortably in Pen 2 of the Pool House. 

Update 4/8-  Fully-recovered and weighing a healthy 88.4 lbs, he was ready to be returned to the wild. Tagged #98 on his left rear flipper, he was released on 4/8/25 at the North Brigantine Natural Area. 

This male Grey seal pup stranded on the beach in Belmar on February 7th. Much like Grey seal #25-002 (Strathmere) who was admitted last week, this pup was still partially covered with his white birth coat (lanugo) and is very underweight. The pup was also exhibiting slightly labored breathing. Fortunately, the little seal was reported to our hotline by someone walking along the beach. One of our dedicated Stranding Volunteers was immediately dispatched to watch over him until our Stranding Team arrived. Once the team arrived back to the Center, the pup was admitted into the Intensive Care Unit. His intake weight was 38.8lbs. The staff began supportive care via tube feeding a mixture of formula and electrolytes to rehydrate the new patient and provide nutritional support. The pup is being treated for a suspected case of lungworms, and is currently being assist-fed by the Stranding Technicians. 

Update 4/8-  Fully-recovered and weighing a healthy 81.8 lbs, he was ready to be returned to the wild. Tagged #95 on his left rear flipper, he was released on 4/8/25 at the North Brigantine Natural Area.