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.