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Learn about some of the seals that the Marine Mammal Stranding Center has rescued, rehabilitated and successfully released back into the wild during the
2022-2023 seal season.
Click on each seal's photo to view their release video!
This male grey seal pup was first discovered resting on the beach in Sea Bright late in the afternoon of January 11th. A former MMSC Stranding Technician local to the area was dispatched to help assess the pup's condition, and his behavior was observed overnight. When the seal didn't leave the beach by daybreak, MMSC staff responded and transported him to the Center. The pup still has traces of his white birthing coat (lanugo), so we are estimating his age to be approximately 4-5 weeks old. His intake weight was 35lbs. Despite being thin and having some irritation from sand in his eyes, he is bright, alert and responsive. Once the pup arrived at the Center, he was moved into the ICU and given supportive care with fluids and assist-feeding fish. We are happy to share that he quickly started to show interest in his food, and after shredding a few fish, he is now eating on his own! Over the course of the weekend, he has shed his white lanugo and is now sporting his darker juvenile coat. This pup will stay with us until he has recovered and gained weight before being released back into the wild.
Update 2/19/24- After six weeks of care in our hospital, this juvenile seal is fully recovered and ready to return to the wild. Weighing a healthy 86lbs, he was tagged #65 on his left rear flipper, he was released at the North Brigantine Natural Area.
On Christmas Day (12/25/23) we received a report of a badly injured seal lying on the beach in Surf City, Long Beach Island. When our Stranding Technicians arrived, they found a male Harbor seal suffering from a large laceration on his left hip, and multiple smaller wounds on his abdomen and around his tail. The yearling, likely born last spring, was immediately transported to MMSC for medical treatment and supportive care. Upon his arrival, staff administered fluids and flushed out his wounds. During his medical examination MMSC's veterinarian determined the likely cause of the wound is a shark bite.
Update 2/8/24- Fully-recovered from his injuries after spending over six weeks in our hospital, he was ready to return to the wild. Now weighing a healthy 87lbs, he was tagged #64 on his left rear flipper for future identification and released into the calm waters just inside the Brigantine Inlet at the North Brigantine Natural Area.
This female Harbor seal stranded in Barnegat Light on 5/29/23. The approximately 3-5 year old adult seal was suffering from a laceration on her right side and was lethargic. She was brought back to MMSC for fluids and supportive care, and to begin treatment for her wound. Her intake weight was 121 lbs.
Update 7/13/23- Fully-recovered and weighing a healthy 148.8lbs, she was tagged #63 on her right rear flipper and released at Sandy Hook Gateway National Park.
This male Grey seal pup stranded in Sea Bright on 4/22/23. He was very lethargic, and in the process of his spring molt. His intake weight was 45lbs.
Update 6/1/23- Fully-recovered and weighing a healthy 74lbs, he was tagged #61 on his left rear flipper and released at Sandy Hook Gateway National Park.
Update 6/9/23- Grey seal #23-076 was spotted relaxing on Philbin Beach in Martha's Vineyard, having traveled approximately 180 miles in eight days! The seal was identified by a photographer with the help of his flipper tag and our website.
This female Grey seal pup stranded in Spring Lake on 4/19/23 suffering from an abscess on her abdomen. She was also in the process of her spring molt. Her intake weight was 42lbs.
Update 6/1/23- Fully-recovered and weighing a healthy 73.2lbs, she was tagged #60 on her right rear flipper and released at Sandy Hook Gateway National Park.
This male Grey seal pup stranded in Barnegat Light on 4/6/23. He was suffering from a laceration across his muzzle. His intake weight was 50lbs.
Update 6/1/23- Fully-recovered and weighing a healthy 99.6lbs, he was tagged #59 on his left rear flipper and released at Sandy Hook Gateway National Park.
On 3/30/23 we received a call for a stranded seal in Sea Isle City. The female Grey seal pup was suffering from multiple lacerations on her side, flippers, stomach, and head. She was brought back to the Center for treatment. Her intake weight was 46lbs.
Update 5/11/23- Fully-recovered and weighing a healthy 95lbs, she was tagged #57 on her right rear flipper and released at Sandy Hook Gateway National Park.
On 3/27/23 we received a call for an entangled seal at Sandy Hook. When our Stranding Team arrived they found a male Grey seal pup close to the water's edge with a polypropylene line knotted around his neck. The seal was rushed to the MMSC where the line was successfully removed by our veterinarian, and treatment was started to prevent infection. The rope, which was tied at the end into a knot, appears to have been on the seal's neck for quite a while, having become imbedded one inch into the seal's blubber and flesh. His intake weight was 58.4lbs.
Update 5/11/23- Fully-recovered and weighing a healthy 89.4lbs, he was tagged #54 on his left rear flipper and released at Sandy Hook Gateway National Park.
On 3/25/23 our Stranding Team responded to a call for a female Grey seal pup in Seaside Park. She was suffering from an infected injury to her jaw and was missing some teeth. The pup was admitted to the MMSC for treatment. Her intake weight was 36lbs.
Update 5/11/23- Fully-recovered and weighing a healthy 95lbs, she was tagged #57 on her right rear flipper and released at Sandy Hook Gateway National Park.
On 3/24/23 this male Grey seal pup stranded on the beach in Surf City. He was suffering from a deep laceration on his hip and abdomen. He was brought back to MMSC for treatment. His intake weight was 40.4lbs.
Update 5/11/23- Fully-recovered and weighing a healthy 90.4lbs, he was tagged #55 on his left rear flipper and released at Sandy Hook Gateway National Park.
On 3/24/23 we received a call for a male Grey seal pup on the beach in Ocean City. The seal had a wound under his chin. He was brought back to MMSC for treatment. His intake weight was 44.8lbs.
Update 5/11/23- Fully-recovered and weighing a healthy 92.4lbs, he was tagged #53 on his left rear flipper and released at Sandy Hook Gateway National Park.
On 3/21/23 our Stranding Team responded to a call for a male Grey seal pup on the beach in Loveladies. The pup was having respiratory issues and had several scrapes on his front flippers. He was brought back to MMSC for treatment. His intake weight was 43.8lbs.
Update 5/5/23- Fully-recovered and weighing a healthy 90lbs, he was tagged #52 on his left rear flipper and released at Sandy Hook Gateway National Park.
On 3/17/23 our Stranding Team responded to an injured female Grey seal pup stranded in Seaside Heights. Her lower jaw was swollen, and she was suffering from multiple lacerations on her head, neck, and flippers. The pup was brought back to MMSC for treatment. Her intake weight was 37.4lbs.
Update 5/5/23- Fully-recovered and weighing a healthy 70lbs, she was tagged #51 on her right rear flipper and released at Sandy Hook Gateway National Park.
On 3/20/23 we received a report of a male Harp seal on the beach in North Wildwood. When our Stranding Team arrived they noticed that the seal, who was otherwise not injured, was eating sand. Harp seals are an Arctic species at home in the snow. Although seals get most of their hydration through the fish that they eat, this sea ice dwelling species will frequently consume snow and ice for fresh water. When harp seals strand on our beaches they may confuse the sand for snow, causing gastric impaction issues. The seal was brought back to MMSC for treatment to flush the sand out of his system with mineral oil to prevent an impaction. His intake weight was 60lbs.
Update 4/14/23- After nearly one month of care at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, he had gained over 10lbs and was ready to be on his own. He was tagged #50 on his left rear flipper and released back at the Brigantine Natural Area.
On 3/3/23 we received a call for a lethargic seal on the beach in Surf City. The male Grey seal pup was brought back to MMSC for treatment. His intake weight was 39.6lbs.
Update 4/14/23- After nearly six weeks of care at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, he weighed 75lbs and was ready to be on his own. He was tagged #49 on his left rear flipper and released at the Brigantine Natural Area.
On 2/27/23 we responded to a call for an injured seal stranded along the Delaware Bay in Fortescue, Cumberland County. The female Harbor seal had several new and old wounds, including fresh puncture wounds on her stomach. She was brought back to MMSC for treatment. Her intake weight was 45lbs.
Update 4/5/23- After nearly six weeks of care at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, she had gained over 20lbs and was ready to be on her own. She was tagged #48 on her right rear flipper and released at the Brigantine Natural Area.
On 2/12/23 we responded to a call for a seal pup lying in the middle of the 4x4 entrance to the North End of Brigantine. The pup was obscured in a tire rut, but fortunately an alert driver spotted her, blocking the path to protect her from getting run over until help arrived. The female Grey seal was immediately transported to the MMSC by our Stranding Technician. The pup was still partially covered with her white birth coat (lanugo) and weighed 28lbs. Upon examination, there was discharge from her eye and minor lacerations.
Update 3/27/23- After nearly six weeks of care at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, she had gained over 30lbs and was ready to be on her own. She was tagged #47 on her right rear flipper and released at the Brigantine Natural Area.
This male grey seal pup stranded at the beach entrance to the Holgate Natural Area on 2/2/23. He was found resting near one of our "Give Seals Space" signs, so the person who found him knew exactly what to do! The pup was still partially covered with his white birth coat (lanugo) and had an injury on his left front flipper. Weighing only 30lbs, this pup was very underweight.
Life can be harsh for these little grey seal pups, who only nurse from their mothers for 2-3 weeks before they are weaned and completely on their own. After their mothers leave them, they must live off their fat reserves as they learn to hunt for fish on their own. Oftentimes the pups who haven't learned how to fend for themselves will strand on our beaches, malnourished and thin, and in need of medical intervention.
Update 3/13/23- Fully-recovered, having molted into his black juvenile coat and weighing a healthy 67.6lbs, he was tagged #46 on his left rear flipper and released at Sandy Hook Gateway National Park.
By symbolically adopting a seal that has been returned to the wild, you will help provide food, medicine, and expert veterinary care for the next injured or sick seal that is admitted into MMSC's hospital for medical treatment.
Give the gift that provides food, medicine and medical care for the sick and injured seals in our hospital.
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