Seal Rescue
What happened to the gray seal found in New Haven, Connecticut?
A six-week-old gray seal was discovered wandering the snowy streets of New Haven, Connecticut, prompting police to block off the area. The seal had been on the move, having been previously spotted in a town eight miles away. After the discovery, an animal rescue team from Mystic Aquarium was called to retrieve the lost seal. Experts believe the young seal was following its instincts but ended up in a developed urban area that was unsafe for it. The seal is now receiving care at Mystic Aquarium with the goal of eventually returning it to its natural habitat.
Watch clip answer (00:49m)
ABC News
00:03 - 00:53
How is a lost gray seal pup being rehabilitated for return to the wild?
The young gray seal found wandering on a busy street in New Haven, Connecticut is now being cared for at Mystic Aquarium with the goal of returning it to the wild. Rehabilitation efforts focus on teaching the pup critical survival skills, particularly how to hunt and catch food independently. Experts emphasize that the seal must learn to support itself through hunting before release, as this offers the best chance of survival in its natural habitat. The aquarium staff is nursing it back to health while ensuring it develops the necessary skills to thrive once released back into the ocean.
Watch clip answer (00:54m)ABC News
00:53 - 01:48
What happened to the young gray seal found in New Haven, Connecticut?
A young gray seal, estimated to be only six weeks old, was discovered wandering on a snowy street in New Haven, Connecticut, prompting police to respond to the unusual call. The seal had been on the move, previously spotted in a town eight miles away before making its way to New Haven, known for its pizza. Police blocked off the street while waiting for a rescue team from Mystic Aquarium to arrive and assist the wayward marine mammal. The seal's presence in such an urban environment was completely unexpected, with local commentators joking that perhaps it came for the city's famous clam pizza.
Watch clip answer (00:33m)
ABC News
00:11 - 00:44
What is happening with the rescued seal from New Haven, Connecticut?
The young gray seal, described as a six-week-old sea pup found wandering in New Haven, Connecticut, is currently being cared for at Mystic Aquarium. Staff at the aquarium are nursing the wayward seal back to health with the ultimate goal of returning it to the wild. This rescue follows similar incidents across the country, including a seal named Tomo found sunbathing on a concrete wall four miles from water in California and another seal found wandering in traffic near Candlestick Point in San Francisco that officers guided back to the bay.
Watch clip answer (00:37m)ABC News
00:53 - 01:31
Why is teaching a young seal pup to hunt important for its survival?
Experts emphasize that teaching the young seal pup hunting and self-feeding skills is crucial as it provides the best chance of survival once released back into the wild. These essential survival skills enable the seal to fend for itself in its natural environment after rescue and rehabilitation. The training ensures the pup can independently find food and navigate its habitat, which is especially important for this six-week-old gray seal found in the urban setting of New Haven, Connecticut. By focusing on these natural behaviors during rehabilitation, wildlife experts significantly increase the seal's prospects for a successful transition back to its marine home.
Watch clip answer (00:09m)ABC News
01:37 - 01:46
What happened to the six-week-old gray seal found in New Haven, Connecticut?
The six-week-old gray seal was found wandering the snowy streets of New Haven, Connecticut, and was subsequently rescued. Law enforcement kept the street blocked off until a rescue team from Mystic Aquarium arrived to safely capture the lost pup. The young seal is now being cared for at Mystic Aquarium, where specialists are nursing it back to health with the goal of returning it to the wild. The rehabilitation process focuses on teaching the seal essential survival skills, particularly how to hunt and catch food on its own, ensuring it can support itself once released back into its natural habitat.
Watch clip answer (01:07m)ABC News
00:28 - 01:36