BRIGANTINE, N.J. — A male grey seal pup found injured and stranded on a Brigantine beach earlier this month is recovering after being rescued and transported for medical care, according to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center.
On April 3, the center received a report of the seal lying motionless along the shoreline. When their Stranding Coordinator arrived, he discovered the young animal suffering from multiple lacerations to its front flippers, shoulders, and mouth, along with significant swelling in its rear left flipper.
The seal, weighing 50.2 pounds at the time of intake, was immediately transported to the MMSC’s rehabilitation facility for treatment. Medical staff cleaned the wounds and began supportive care, including tube feeding with a mixture of formula and electrolytes.
In addition to nutrition, the team administered oral and topical medications to prevent infection and alleviate pain. Officials report that the pup is now “resting comfortably in Pen 1 of the Pool House” and has begun eating independently.
“His behavior is appropriately aggressive, which is something we like to see in our wild patients,” the MMSC stated.
Ongoing care for seals
The rescued grey seal is one of twelve currently receiving care at the center’s facility. Each patient is being monitored closely by veterinary staff and rehabilitation specialists.
The MMSC credited public reports for enabling timely rescues and urged continued support for its work during the busy spring stranding season.
Key Points
- A male grey seal pup was rescued April 3 from a Brigantine beach with multiple injuries.
- The seal is recovering well and eating on his own at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center.
- The center is currently treating twelve seals at its hospital facility.
The Marine Mammal Stranding Center continues to treat injured marine life from along New Jersey’s coastlines.