The National Aquarium Animal Care and Rescue Center (ACRC) in Baltimore is rehabilitating four seal pups brought to them from Ocean City. The four seals are sharing the seal rehab suites in the ACRC, putting the rehab space at capacity.
Since late February, this year has seen the busiest local seal rescue season dating back to 2019. The National Aquarium’s Animal Rescue team and its partners on the Delmarva coast have had near-constant sightings of harp and grey seals stranding (called “hauling out”) on area beaches.
All four of the seals are young pups or weanlings recently separated from their mothers. At this age, animals are especially vulnerable to malnutrition, dehydration, threats from other animals, and a range of injuries and infections. The Aquarium’s Animal Health and Rescue teams will prioritize teaching these pups to forage for food and eat independently. Each seal also receives fluids, antibiotics, pain management and round-the-clock care specific to their needs.
Every year the National Aquarium chooses a theme for naming the rescued turtles and seals that move through its treatment system. This year’s theme is Baltimore City neighborhoods to honor the Aquarium’s hometown. In keeping with that theme, the seals in the Aquarium’s care are named Woodberry, Evergreen, Waverly, and Arcadia.
Here are the Aquarium’s descriptions of the seals, their injuries, and their statuses:
“Woodberry” is a male, weanling grey seal pup rescued by the Aquarium’s partners with the Marine Education, Rescue & Rehabilitation Institute (MERR) on February 25, and transferred immediately to the ACRC in Baltimore after about 24 hours of observation on the beach in Fenwick, Delaware. At the time of his rescue, Woodberry was found to be malnourished and displayed infected puncture wounds, possibly from an interaction with a larger animal. As of March 8, Woodberry is now eating independently, swimming in the rehabilitation pool and his condition is improving.
“Evergreen” is another male, weanling grey seal pup who arrived at the ACRC on March 10 after stabilizing at the National Aquarium’s Stranding Response Center in Ocean City overnight. Evergreen was collected by MERR from Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware on March 9 due to puncture wounds that appear to be an impact of an interaction with a shark and is receiving antibiotics and pain medication. Evergreen is not yet able to eat independently and is currently recovering in “dry dock” (on land) while his wounds heal.
“Waverly” is a female, weanling grey seal collected by MERR immediately upon encounter on March 10 in Dewey Beach, Delaware, exhibiting infected puncture wounds and a lacerated hind flipper from an unknown incident. After 72 hours of stabilizing care at the Stranding Response Center in Ocean City, Waverly arrived at the ACRC on March 13 where she is now eating independently.
“Arcadia” is a maternally dependent female grey seal found stranded in Ocean City on March 13. Found emaciated with evidence of an infected puncture would, an eye infection and oral trauma, she spent the night in triage care at the Stranding Response Center before arriving at the ACRC on Friday, March 14 where her condition is not yet considered stable. She is receiving antibiotics, fluids and pain management medication. Animals who are still maternally dependent are typically less than four weeks old and must receive nutrition via an orogastric tube.
The Animal Health and Rescue teams will be assessed by Aquarium staff as they progress, and when ready, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will clear them for release back into the ocean. The sooner this happens, the better the chance their foraging instincts will stay intact. Each seal must weigh around 25 kg and be recovered from any injuries and infections, which generally means a minimum of five-to-six weeks in rehabilitation for animals this size and age.
Seal rescue season continues through May. Should you encounter a seal on the beach, it may not be sick, only resting. The Aquarium advises that if you do see a seal, do not touch or approach it, and keep a distance of 150 feet—about the length of three school buses. Please note your location and time of day and immediately contact the National Aquarium’s Stranded Animal Hotline at 410-576-3880.
